-------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 2402      2007 Dec 19 12.48UT
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      Backup: gmh@wdcc1.bnsc.rl.ac.uk
WORLD WIDE WEB                         http://www.theastronomer.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------
BRIGHT OPTICAL TRANSIENT NEAR THE ANTENNAE GALAXIES
A. J. Drake et. al., Catalina Survey, report on The Astronomer's 
Telegram 1337 their detection of a bright (V ~ 13) optical transient 
with the Mt. Bigelow 0.8m Catalina Schmidt Telescope
on 2007 Dec 18. The transient is unresolved, and at the following
J2000 coordinates:
RA 12:01:52.80 Dec - 18:58:21.72
For finding charts and additional information, please see:
http://voeventnet.org/feeds/ATEL/CSS

The object is on the edge of a spiral arm of the Antennae Galaxies and 
is consistent with a supernova at this distance. The set of CSS
discovery observations consists of four images spanning approx 20 
minutes. The transient was detected in all images and is constant in 
magnitude and position over the time span of the images. The object does 
not match the location of any known asteroid. The source is not seen in 
archival CSS or HST images.

URSID METEORS 2007
P. Jenniskens, SETI Institute, et. al., write on CBET 1159 that they 
predict an outburst of Ursid meteors associated with the imminent return 
of comet 8P/Tuttle to perihelion. The peak of the outburst is predicted 
at 20-22.2 hr UT on Dec. 22 (most likely 21h.4-22h.2), when the shower 
rate (ZHR) will be about 40-80 meteors/hr, or 4-8 times the normal Ursid 
activity.  The outburst may last as short as FWHM = 2 hr if dominated by 
dust trails that were ejected during AD 700-900, or as long as FWHM = 
8.5 hr if
older dust trails are involved.  Meteors should radiate from a 
geocentric radiant of R.A. = 218.3 deg, Decl. = +75.5 deg (equinox
2000.0), with velocities of V_g = 33.52 km/s.

SUPERNOVA 2007rx IN ANONYMOUS GALAXY
Discovery by ROTSE collaboration of a possible supernova (CBET 1157):
SN      2007 UT      R.A.  (2000.0)  Decl.    Mag.     Offset
2007rx  Nov 28.11   23 40 11.74  +27 25 16.5  17.2   2.2"E, 5.9"N
The object was observed to rise to magnitude 16.3 on Dec 5.11UT.
A spectrum of Dec 6.16 (9.2-m Hobby-Eberly Telescope) shows it to be a 
type=Ia supernova.

SUPERNOVA 2007ry IN ANONYMOUS GALAXY
Discovery by LOSS of a possible supernova (CBET 1158):
SN      2007 UT      R.A.  (2000.0)  Decl.    Mag.     Offset
2007ry  Dec. 8.36   03 25 43.16  +41 14 41.6  17.9   1.8"E, 1.5"S

SUPERNOVA 2007rz IN ANONYMOUS GALAXY
Discovery by LOSS of a possible supernova (CBET 1158):
SN      2007 UT      R.A.  (2000.0)  Decl.    Mag.     Offset
2007rz  Dec. 8.40   04 31 10.84  +07 37 51.5  16.9   8.6"E, 0.1"N

SUPERNOVA 2007sa IN NGC 3499
Discovery by Mostardi and Li of a possible supernova (CBET 1161):
SN      2007 UT      R.A.  (2000.0)  Decl.    Mag.     Offset
2007sa  Nov 21.56   11 03 10.78  +56 13 26.3  14.2   1.8"W, 7.7"N
I. Agnoletto et. al., report on CBET 1163 that a spectrum obtained on 
Dec. 12.14 UT with the OHP 1.93-m telescope shows it to be a type-Ia 
supernova one month after maximum light.

Guy M Hurst