------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 2485 2008 Sep 23 19.27UT 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------- COMET 205P/GIACOBINI The following permanent numbers have been assigned (cf. MPC 63768) to newly recovered comets: 201P/2008 Q4 (LONEOS; cf. IAUC 8970); 202P/2008 R2 (Scotti; cf. IAUC 8971); 203P/2008 R4 (Korlevic; cf. IAUC 8974); 204P/2008 R5 (LINEAR-NEAT; cf. IAUC 8974); 205P/2008 R6 (Giacobini; cf. IAUC 8975 but see also following comments). D. T. Durig and K. N. Hatchett, Cordell-Lorenz Observatory, Sewanee, TN, have reported observations of two additional components of comet 205P. The first of these, 4 mag fainter than the primary body, was observed on Sept. 17.1, 19.1, and 22.1 UT some 70" west and 5" south of the primary. The second additional component, 5 mag fainter than the primary body, was observed on Sept. 19.1 and 22.1 UT some 660" west and 60" south of the primary. Epoch 2008 Sept. 11.0 TT = JDT 2454720.5 T 2008 Sept. 10.08442 TT MPEC 2008-R78 q 1.5263743 (2000.0) P Q n 0.14800493 Peri. 154.25156 +0.89795450 +0.44008493 a 3.5395817 Node 179.62583 -0.43544009 +0.88903132 e 0.5687699 Incl. 15.30637 -0.06379373 +0.12628767 P 6.66 From 223 observations 1896-2008, mean residual 1".02. Ephemeris: Date TT R. A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. Phase m1 2008 09 11 20 39.88 -01 28.2 0.609 1.526 140.5 24.8 13.8 2008 09 21 20 54.81 -05 24.2 0.645 1.531 135.1 27.6 13.9 2008 10 01 21 12.90 -08 43.1 0.697 1.542 129.5 30.0 14.1 2008 10 11 21 33.38 -11 12.7 0.764 1.560 124.0 32.0 14.3 2008 10 21 21 55.37 -12 50.0 0.845 1.585 118.7 33.4 14.6 2008 10 31 22 18.09 -13 38.3 0.938 1.616 113.6 34.3 14.9 2008 11 10 22 41.02 -13 43.8 1.042 1.652 108.7 34.6 15.3 2008 11 20 23 03.72 -13 14.5 1.158 1.693 103.9 34.5 15.6 2008 11 30 23 25.98 -12 17.9 1.282 1.738 99.2 34.1 15.9 2008 12 10 23 47.72 -11 00.7 1.416 1.787 94.5 33.3 16.3 2008 12 20 00 08.88 -09 29.0 1.556 1.840 89.9 32.3 16.6 2008 12 30 00 29.52 -07 47.5 1.704 1.894 85.2 31.1 16.9 Approximate ephemerides for the additional components can be computed by applying corrections of Delta(T) = +0.014 and +0.133 day, respectively, to the orbital elements for comet 205P on MPEC 2008-R78 (as shown above). GK PERSEI John Bortle, USA, notes that the 1901 nova GK Per is distinctly brighter (Sept. 21.0653UT, mag 12.5) than at normal minimum. If this were to signal the onset of another of its periodic outbursts, it would be most unusual as it is much sooner than might otherwise have been anticipated...by nearly half the typical outburst cycle. I also note that the last outburst came somewhat earlier than expected but was fainter than previous such events by nearly a magnitude. It would thus probably be worth while to very closely monitor GK Per over the next week for signs of any further brightening. Numerous other observers have confirmed that GK Per is going through a brighter phase. This does not necessarily infer a full outburst but clearly the star should be watched carefully. Guy M Hurst