------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 2969 2013 Dec 11 16.47UT 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW BRIGHT CATACLYSMIC VARIABLE IN URSA MINOR Denis Denisenko, Moscow State University and others report on 'The Astronomer's Telegram 5643 the discovery of MASTER OT J162323.48+782603.3 with the MASTER-Tunka auto-detection system. It is located at: RA 16h 23m 23.48s DEC +78d 26m 03.3s and found on 2013 Dec 9.495UT. The OT unfiltered magnitude is 13.2 (limit 16.4)and seen in 13 images. It brightened to 13.0m by 2013 Dec 9.575UT. An earlier image of 2011 Oct 7.511UT showed it at magnitude 18.0 unfiltered (limit 19.4m). At quiescence it is identical to the blue star USNO-A2.0 1650-01856527 (16 23 23.60 +78 26 02.1 R=18.3 B=18.2) = USNO-B1.0 1684-0061530 (16 23 23.378 +78 26 03.56 pmRA=-10 pmDE=24 B1=18.19 R1=18.20 B2=19.14 R2=18.91 I=18.30) The object was also detected in outbursts to 13.3m by MASTER-Amur on 2012 Dec 19.551 and 2012 Jan 07.928UT. Based on the blue colour and outburst amplitude (~5m), MASTER OT J162323.48+782603.3 is most likely a dwarf nova of SU UMa (UGSU) type in superoutburst. The discovery and reference images are available at: http://master.sai.msu.ru/static/OT/162323.48782603.3.png SUPERNOVA 2013fx (CHASE PROJECT) 2013fx Oct 21.20 23 03 21.77 -69 11 18.5 17.9 3.9"W 0.5"N S. Spiro: Public ESO Spectroscopic Survey for Transient Objects collaboration report a spectrum of Oct. 27 shows that it is a type-Ia supernova a few days before maximum light. AL COM The AAVSO relay details of an outburst of the WZ Sge star AL Comae on 2013 Dec 6. Carlo Gualdoni reported a magnitude of V=12.74 on 2013 December 6.185. Gary Poyner notes on the BAAVSS mailing list that this is the first observed outburst of AL Com since October 2007. Matthew templeton (AAVS) adds AL Comae has typically faded quickly during past outbursts, but will exhibit re-brightenings during the event. Unfiltered time-series observations may be useful to detect any periodic behaviour; photometry of the overall outburst is also useful. The star is fainter than V=20 at quiescence. AL Com is located at: RA 12h 32m 25.9s DEC +14 20' 43.5" (2000) Guy M Hurst