-------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 2073      2005 Jan 11 20.39UT
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
On 2005 January 10, Ron Arbour, South Wonston, England, reported his 
detection of a new object in Messier 31 (NGC 224) on an unfiltered CCD 
images taken on 2005 Jan.10.92492 U.T. with a 0.3-m f/6.3 
Schmidt-Cassegrain and Starlight Xpress camera during the course of 
searches for the UK Nova/Supernova Patrol.

It proved difficult to obtain a precise position but an image was 
received. Ron commented that it was not present on his image of M31 
obtained on 2004 December 31.

Subsequently we have today learnt from the Central Bureau (IAUC 8461) 
that K. Hornoch of the Czech Republic also found this object on 2005 Jan 
7.89UT using a 0.35-m telescope. Hornoch's position for the new object 
is  RA 00h 42m 28.38s DEC +41 16' 36.2" (2000), which is 180" W and 28" 
N of the centre of M31.

Ron Arbour has now provided a position with end figures RA 28.34s; DEC 
37.6" and quoted the object's magnitude as about 15.

P. Kusnirak, Ondrejov has reported a pre-discovery image of 2005 January 
6.76UT when the object was at magnitude 19.2.

Congratulations to Ron on the discovery of this presumed nova.

Guy M Hurst