THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 538 1991 July 9 18.33UT Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke, Hants, RG22 4PP, England. Telephone: (0256)471074 Int:+44256471074 Telex: 9312111261 Answerback: TA G JANET BOXES: GMH at UK.AC.CAM.ASTRONOMY.STARLINK or GUYH at UK.AC.SUSSEX.CLUSTER TELECOM GOLD: 10074:MIK2885 PRESTEL 256471074 ------------------------------------------------------------------- SUPERNOVA 1991ai IN IC 4434 C. Pollas, Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, reports his discovery on OCA Schmidt tech pan films of an apparent supernova in IC 4434 (R.A. = 14h25m32s.62, Decl. = +16 25'49".1, equinox 1950.0). The supernova, of mag 18.5 on July 2.93 and 3.93 UT, is located at R.A. = 14h25m33s.09, Decl. = +16 25'43".9. Nothing is visible to mag 21 on a plate taken Apr. 20.0, nor is anything present on POSS prints at the position of SN 1991ai. There is a star of mag about 15 located at R.A. = 14h25m33s.50, Decl. = +16 27'46".9. IAUC 5298 METEOR ACTIVITY 1991 JULY 4 According to a report relayed by Graeme Waddington and Paul Leyland The Times carried a note in the July 5 edition that unusually high meteor activity was seen over Britain early on July 4: "At 2am a display was seen by a man at Watchet, Somerset who reported what he thought were distress flares over the Bristol Channel. Swansea coastguards checked on the sighting and reported several meteors. One was seen falling in the Bristol Channel, narrowly missing a tug. The display was visible in the Taunton areas with patrolling policemen making a number of reports. Coastguards from Falmouth to Liverpool reported unusual activity in the clear night sky." Does anyone have observations of this activity? TA COMMS CATALOGUE The following additional entry can be made to the catalogue (cf E535) Hodgson, Doug JG /DD.DIR=W.D.HODGSON/G=10087/S=YQQ593/ (see gateway instructions) Stockport Additionally Gavin Ramsay now advises an amended entry: Ramsay, Gavin J CBS%UK.AC.ST-ANDREWS.STAR::GR Fife COMET LEVY (1991q) David Moore notes that this comet passes 6.5'N of Messier 38 on 1991 July 30 at 07hUT. An ephemeris was given on E536. NOVA SCUTI 1981 (Q1991/55) Savvas Koushiappas, Cyprus has advised us that this object, located at RA 18h44m11.7s DEC -04 59'56"(1950) and found by David Branchett on 1981 January 18, was seen on 1991 July 7 at 20.55UT at magnitude 10.5. This observation was made with a 0.21-m S-C and the estimate was based on the TA 'B' chart. The next night he again observed the field, as also did John Isles (also Cyprus) but the star was not seen to magnitude 12. Gary Poyner advises us that the star was not seen to magnitude 11.9 on July 7 at 01.33UT during his patrol for the UK Nova/Supernova Patrol, recurrent objects section. Are there any further recent observations? VARIABLE OBJECT IN DELPHINUS (Q1991/54) We have received an unconfirmed report of a possible outburst of a stellar object at approx: RA 20h31m DEC +15.5deg (1950?). Could observers please check this field and report back? Guy M Hurst