-------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1960      2004 Jan 09 20.57UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074
INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK             GMH at AST.STAR.RL.AC.UK
WORLD WIDE WEB                         http://www.theastronomer.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------
POSSIBLE NOVA IN MESSIER 31
Further to the report on TA E-Circular 1958 of the detection of a 
possible nova by Martin Mobberley on 2003 Dec 18, we are pleased to 
report that the Central Bureau have now announced this on IAU Circular 
8262.

Independent discoveries but at a later date than the detection by Martin 
have also been reported. O. Smirnova detected this object on photographs 
by Barzdis of Dec 19.696 obtained at the Astrophysical Observatory of 
Baldone. Its magnitude was estimated to be 18.6.

K. Hornoch detected it on Dec 23.695 at magnitude 17.8.

A further independent discovery was made by Marco Fiaschi on Dec 
20.708UT at magnitude 18.5. Although this is listed as a different 
object on IAUC 8262, comparison of images by Martin and Fiaschi show 
this is one and the same object.

Finally we have also been advised by Tom Boles of Coddenham that he 
secured a confirmatory image on Dec 20.8876UT at the discoverer's 
request.

We again offer congratulations to Martin on his first discovery to be 
announced on an IAUC.

Guy M Hurst