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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 2704      2011 Jan 02 23.35UT
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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NEW VARIABLE STAR IN PISCES (=POSSIBLE NOVA IN PISCES)
U. Munari, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Padova Astronomical 
Observatory and P. Valisa et. al., "Asiago Novae and Symbiotic Stars" 
(ANS) collaboration, report on CBET 2617 that they have observed the new 
variable star announced on TA E-Circular 2702. CCD photometry provides V 
= 13.83, B-V = +0.01, V-Ic = +0.11 for 2011 Jan. 1.71 UT.  Absolute 
optical spectrophotometry (range 400-710 nm) was obtained with the 
0.60-m telescope of the Schiaparelli Observatory in Varese on Jan. 1.74 
UT.  The spectrum is dominated by a featureless hot continuum with no 
line visible in emission, and H_beta, H_gamma, and H_delta in absorption 
with equivalent widths of 0.77, 0.52, and 0.38 nm, respectively.  No 
obvious line is visible at the H_alpha wavelength, suggesting that an 
emission core could be filling in the expected absorption line.  The 
Balmer lines are wide (the FWHM of H_beta is 4.3 nm) and are red- 
shifted by +120 km/s, excluding that the variable could be a classical 
nova observed close to maximum light.  The object has the appearance 
expected from a cataclysmic variable in outburst.

Brian Skiff, Lowell Observatory, notes that this object is in the Sloan 
DR7 catalogue as an ultraviolet-bright object (Sloan mag about 21 in all 
five passbands on 2005 Sept. 13 UT), at the following position:
RA 23h 04m 25.88s, DEC +6 25' 45.7"(2000).

QUADRANTIDS 2011 MAX JAN 04h00mUT
The following notes replace those on TA E-Circular 2703 showing that the 
maximum of the Quadrantids is close to New Moon and therefore could be 
quite favourable.

The Quadrantid radiant, lying at Dec +50, is circumpolar for observers 
north of latitude 40 N. The radiant is at its lowest altitude at around 
20h local time and is highest at the end of the night. The maximum is 
usually rather narrow, with the predicted time for 2011 favouring 
observers at west Asian and east European longitudes. However it should 
be noted that the 2009 peak was broader than usual with the ZHR being 
above 100 for nearly 12 hours. The 2011 peak occurs close to New Moon, 
so moonlight will not hinder observations.

The link to the map showing the radiant as quoted on E2703 was correct 
and remains at:

http://www.theastronomer.org/meteors/quadrantid_radiant.jpg

Guy M Hurst