THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 268 1989 Mar 01 18.49UT. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------- AX PERSEI This Z-And star appears to be now emerging from eclipse, somewhat earlier than expected, as indicated by the following visual magnitude estimates: 1988 Aug. 27.99, 9.5 (P. Schmeer, Bischmisheim, West Germany; correction to IAUC 4685); Dec. 30.00 UT, 12.6 (Schmeer); 1989 Jan. 3.81, 12.5 (S. Korth, Dusseldorf, West Germany); 13.89, 12.2 (A. Pereira, Linda-a-Velha, Portugal); 26.83, 12.6 (A. Boattini, Florence, Italy); Feb. 2.21, 12.8 (R. Royer, Wrightwood, CA); 8.03, 12.6 (J. E. Bortle, Stormville, NY); 13.16, 12.6 (Bortle); 24.01, 12.3 (Bortle); 26.02, 11.7 (Bortle); 26.85, 11.9 (Schmeer). IAUC 4745 YZ CANCRI R.Bouma, Netherlands, has telephoned through a report that this UG star, on the recent La Palma Programme, has been seen in outburst. On 1989 Feb 28 at 20.16UT he estimated it at magnitude 12.8v with the 0.25-m JB telescope. The La Palma programme finished yesterday and if there are any unreported results for February please e-mail these by March 2. SN 1989B IN M66 To date, 107 results have been analysed suggesting that the supernova is now fading slowly and reaching about 13.0 as at yesterday. In good conditions, the star is difficult to estimate against the background 'nebulosity' of the galaxy whereas comparison stars do not suffer this problem. It is suggested that those with larger telescopes stop the aperture down so that the supernova is, say, about 0.5 magnitudes above the limit. Alternatively it may help to use higher magnification to lessen the 'background' effect. However this may place comparisons out of the field and observers are reminded that they should always bring the variable and then the comparisons to the centre of view when making estimates. Some observers have commented that star 6 is very faint but others report that its position in the sequence seems correct. Comments on this and the sequence as a whole are welcomed. Guy M Hurst