THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 706       1993 Feb 06 15.20UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England. Telephone/FAX(0256)471074 Int:+44256471074
TELEX: 9312111261 Answerback: TA G      TELECOM GOLD: 10074:MIK2885
GMH at UK.AC.RUTHERFORD.STARLINK.ASTROPHYSICS  STARLINK: RLSAC::GMH
GMH at UK.AC.CAM.ASTRONOMY.STARLINK            STARLINK: CAVAD::GMH
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SAVING THE SONNEBERG OBSERVATORY
Hans Bengtsson, Sweden e-mails:
"The future of the Sonneberg Observatory, Germany, is seriously
threatened; it has been suggested that it shall close down in 1994.

To anyone studying variable stars, the importance of the
observatory is immense and can hardly be overestimated. Their huge
collection of plates makes up an indispensable reference material,
whenever the history of a newly discovered variable needs to be
traced. Also, the readiness of the staff to provide full and free
information within a short time, always treating professionals and
amateurs equally well, is worth admiration. Their return card is
almost classical:

"We have received : MVS xxxx.
 We want to receive: _________________________
 You are urgently requested to return this card!"

That's service!

To save the Sonneberg Observatory, a special group has been formed
:

Freunde der Sternwarte Sonneberg
Sternwarte Sonneberg
Sternwartenstrasse 32
O - 6400 Sonneberg
Germany

It is important that many professional and amateur astronomers over
the world protest against the suggested shutting down of the
observatory. If you feel able to do so, please contact the group
above."

-Sagogangen 55, -422 45 Hisings Backa, Sweden

SUPERNOVA 1993D IN ESO 571-G3
R. H. McNaught, Bugaldie, N.S.W, reports his discovery of an
apparent supernova of mag about 18 on an R plate taken on Feb. 1.7
UT by M. J. Drinkwater with the U.K. Schmidt Telescope.  SN 1993D
is located at R.A. = 11h26m28s.90, Decl. = -22 12'34".0 (equinox
1950.0; uncertainty 0".5 in each coordinate), and it lies on the
inner edge of the ring of ESO 571-G3 (= MCG -4-27-11), being offset
10".7 west and 6".8 south from the galaxy's center.  A nearby star
of mag 17.5 has end figures 31s.40, 03".2.  No star appears in the
position of the supernova on the ESO or SERC R surveys.
     M. Della Valle and L. Pasquini, European Southern Observatory,
report:  "Inspection of a spectrogram (range 450-720 nm, resolution
about 2 nm) obtained on Feb. 3.3 UT with the ESO 1.5-m telescope (+
Boller & Chivens spectrograph) at La Silla shows this to be a type-
Ia supernova caught about 3 weeks after maximum."
IAUC 5703

IP PEGASI
Professional astronomers working with Hubble advise us that IP Peg
has been reported in outburst on Feb 1 at 12.5 by members of AAVSO
and request our confirmation. In response to our appeal, Taichi
Kato, Japan confirmed the outburst using CCD at Ouda. The star was
recorded at V=12.8 on the TV monitor at Feb 3.387UT.

Guy M Hurst