-------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1972      2004 Feb 23 15.22UT
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
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ETA GEMINORUM
A mobile text message was received from Colin Henshaw in Saudi Arabia on 
Feb 22 suggesting that Eta Geminorum may be as faint as magnitude 3.9 
and has possibly entered an eclipse.

The primary star is a known intrinsic variable of type SR with an 
optical companion only visible in large telescopes. However it is also a 
spectroscopic binary for which eclipses occur about every 8.2 years.

John Isles, USA, informs us that the mid-eclipse is not expected until 
2004 July although some earlier such events have been missed due to 
solar conjunction.

In response to an appeal for observations, the following reports have 
been received for the evening of Feb 22:

Roger Pickard (Shobdon):V=3.56 +/- 0.02 (comparison Fl 1 Gem 4.169)

Tony Markham (Leek):
Feb 22 1843UT mu-5 , epsilon-3 , nu+5 , 1+5 = 3.48 (1) 8x40B SPAVSS
Feb 22 1845UT mu-4 , epsilon-4 , xi-3       = 3.43 (2) NE    SPAVSS
Feb 22 1847UT mu(6)V(5)1  =                 = 3.56 (1) 8x40B SPAVSS

Guy Hurst (Basingstoke):
Feb 22.82UT mu(3)v(2)Fl1; epsilon-4 average = 3.54 (1) NE    SPAVSS

John Toone (Cressage):
Using Epsilon Gem (2.97) and FL 1 Gem (4.17) I have just secured the 
following estimate:
22 Feb 2004    0824GMAT    Epsilon (2)V(3) FL 1    3.5    NE
For me this is a little below normal (3.2-3.4) but not eclipse level - 
yet.

Melvyn Taylor (Wakefield):
2004 Jan 16,2236 / A-2 /       3.1 /  2 / 4 / M
      Jan 17,2310 / A(1)B(1)V / 3.1 /  1 / 4 /
      Feb 19,2006 / A(4)V(3)G / 3.6 /  2 / 1 / E
Naked-eye=4; B40x8 = 1;

The presence of the planet Saturn between the target and some of the 
comparisons makes naked eye estimates awkward so considerable care is 
required.

The recommended SPAVSS sequence is:
Mu Gem      2.86
Epsilon Gem 2.97
Zeta Tau    3.03
Xi Gem      3.34
Lambda Gem  3.59
Nu Gem      4.14
1 Gem       4.15
(kindly provided by Tony Markham).

Further observations are encouraged.

Guy M Hurst