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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 2416      2008 Feb 03 12.28UT
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
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SUPERNOVA 2008S IN NGC 6946
On 2008 Feb 2, Ron Arbour, South Wonston, England reported his discovery 
of an apparent supernova in the galaxy NGC 6946 during the course of his 
patrols for the UK Nova/Supernova Programme.

The object, of magnitude 17.6, was initially recorded on an unfiltered 
CCD image taken on 2008 Feb 01.7889UT using a 0.30-m f/6.3 SCT and 
Starlight Xpress CCD camera. At that stage it was only recorded on a 
single image and found during checks on Feb 2.

The object is located at:
RA 20h 34m 45.35s DEC +60 05' 57.8" (2000), and offset -53.1" W 195.5" S 
from the host galaxy centre.
The limiting magnitude of the image was about 18.6.

It is not visible on the Digitised Sky Survey POSS II Blue plate 
(1990-08-15 05:90:00) nor the POSS II Red plate (1991-07-11
08:10:00).

According to a preliminary announcement on the Central Bureau Electronic 
Telegram 1234, Tom Boles, Coddenham, England obtained eight confirming 
images on 2008 Feb 2.763UT yielding a magnitude 17.1 and measured end 
figures 45.36s, 57.9". Dan Green assigned the designation Supernova 
2008S.

SNe 1917A, 1939C, 1948B, 1968D, 1969P, 1980K, 2002hh and 2004et were 
also detected in NGC 6946 so this is the ninth such object found in this 
galaxy.

Congratulations to Ron on the detection of his 19th supernova.

Guy M Hurst