THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 552 1991 Aug 15 18.38UT 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------- UK NOVA/SUPERNOVA PATROL I am pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Poyner as the new Assistant Coordinator for our Nova/Supernova Patrol. Initially he will be responsible for investigating all reports relating to outbursts of stars on the recurrent objects list. In future such reports should not be directed at the Editor but telephoned to Gary on 021-350-4312. He has indicated that this number is available on an all-night basis for such reports. For the time being the monthly reports should continue to be sent to the main coordinator and alerts regarding possible novae or supernovae discoveries telephoned to the editor's number. SS URSAE MINORIS Further to the provisional report on E550, Gary Poyner, Birmingham has confirmed the outburst of this UG-type variable (=E1551+718) which is located: RA 15h 51.3m DEC +71 55' (1950). Magnitude estimates: 1991 Aug 8.94UT, [14.5 (G.Poyner); 9.04, 13.5: (R.Mitchell); 11.92, 14.5 (Poyner). The sequence has been extended to 14.3 under reference 910811. However it would be useful to have a prime focus photograph of the field as there has been some difficulty with star detail in the past. This appears to be the first positive outburst ever reported to 'The Astronomer' for this star. The last recorded outburst, according to AAVSO Circulars, was on 1990 March 26 at magnitude 13.4 by T.Kato. NOVA SAGITTARII 1991 Recent visual estimates: 1991 July 31.90UT, 9.5 (A.Pereira, Portugal); 31.92UT, 9.3 (P.Schmeer, Germany); Aug 2.893, 10.2 (Schmeer); 6.913, 11.0 (Schmeer); 8.92, 11.6 (Pereira); 10.866, 11.5 (Schmeer); 11.859, 11.7 (Schmeer). (Extract EWC 122) V919 SAGITTARII Further to the report on E548, Alfredo Pereira, Portugal e-mails an estimate of 11.0 made on Aug 8.93UT (based on AAVSO chart for GU Sgr). P/COMET SCHWASSMANN-WACHMANN 1 Herman Mikuz, Yugoslavia, e-mails: "A programme to obtain ground-based visible and space-based ultraviolet spectra of this comet when in strong outburst has been undertaken at The University of Texas at Austin (cf IAUC 5290). The recent detection of an outburst at the Crni Vrh Observatory (see TA E-Circular 549) has been reported to the group. In response, William Cochran, McDonald Observatory communicates that the comet is now under regular observation by IUE as well as spectroscopy being carried out at McDonald. Additional observational data can be sent to William Cochran by e-mail: astro.as.utexas.edu." Herman also reports observation of the comet on Aug 10.06UT when m1=12.4 (35.5T). Guy M Hurst