THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 145 1988 Apr 19  20.15UT.
Telecom Gold 72:MAG60138
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16, Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP, England. Telephone:(0256)471074.Int:+44256471074
Telex:265871(MONREF G) Quote"72:MAG60138 ATT G.HURST"in FIRST line.
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NOVA OPHIUCHI 1988
H.Kosai, Toyko Astronomical Observatory, provides the following
accurate position, measured by him from the Apr 14 film by Wakuda:
RA 17h08m50.84s DEC -29 33'58.4" (1950).
R.H.McNaught, Siding Spring Observatory, also provides a position
from the mean of two films exposed on Apr 18 with the Uppsala
Southern Schmidt with end figures:
RA 50.81s DEC 57.7"
He suggests that the prenova is a blue star of magnitude
approximately 20.5 and has measured a position from the UK Schmidt
J Survey film of 1976 May 31 with end figures:
RA 50.86s DEC 58.2"
He adds that the prenova is much brighter on B and J plates than on
an I plate; on the J film it is flanked by stars of similar
brightness, 3" north and 3" south. Patrol photographs by McNaught
(T-Max 400, 85mm-lens) yield the following magnitudes:
Apr12.63UT, 10.0; 13.65, 10.1; 14.74, 10.0; 15.62,10.0.
Visual magnitude estimates: Apr 18.56UT, 10.1 (M.Morel, NSW);
18.58, 10.0 (McNaught).                                 IAUC 4582

Guy M Hurst