Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
IAUC 3065: 1977 HA; 1960 UA; AM HER Vars
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Read IAUC 3066
Circular No. 3065
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
Postal Address: Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
Cable Address: SATELLITES, NEWYORK Telex: 921428
Telephone: (617) 864-5758
1977 HA
The following positions, the first visual, the second (measured
by M. L. Kantz photographic, are from the Lowell Observatory:
1977 UT R. A. (1950) Decl. Observer
Apr. 22.19444 13 12 45.1 +34 40 56 E. Bowell
22.30069 13 12 57.01 +34 39 58.7 H. L. Giclas
1960 UA
The following prediction, by B. G. Marsden, is based on the
orbit on Minor Planet Circ. No. 3016. The uncertainty in T is
about +/- 1 day.
T = 1977 Oct. 16.4617 ET Epoch = 1977 Oct. 24.0 ET
Peri. = 155.7710 e = 0.537023
Node = 207.4812 1950.0 a = 2.264719
Incl. = 3.7340 n = 0.2891896
q = 1.048514 AU P = 3.408 years
For dT = +1d
1977/78 ET R. A. (1950) Decl. Delta r dR.A. dDecl. Mag.
May 17 18 22.84 -13 09.5 1.034 1.922 -2m98 - 2.5 19.9
27 18 21.05 -17 20.8 -3.43 - 3.0
June 6 18 15.18 -16 28.3 0.793 1.780 -3.90 - 3.5 19.0
16 18 05.09 -15 33.0 -4.31 - 3.8
26 17 51.38 -14 37.4 0.626 1.636 -4.58 - 4.2 18.2
July 6 17 35.71 -13 45.6 -4.62 - 4.8
16 17 20.43 -13 03.8 0.536 1.491 -4.42 - 5.7 18.0
26 17 08.20 -12 38.4 -4.04 - 6.9
Aug. 5 17 01.03 -12 33.0 0.498 1.350 -3.59 - 8.1 18.0
15 16 59.96 -12 48.3 -3.15 - 9.1
25 17 05.45 -13 21.6 0.474 1.223 -2.80 - 9.9 18.0
Sept. 4 17 17.47 -14 08.3 -2.55 -10.4
14 17 36.09 -15 03.0 0.437 1.121 -2.44 -10.6 17.9
24 18 01.73 -15 58.7 -2.51 -10.4
Oct. 4 18 35.08 -16 46.2 0.383 1.060 -2.83 -10.1 17.7
9 18 55.03 -17 02.5 -3.12 -10.0
14 19 17.38 -17 10.5 0.354 1.049 -3.52 -10.2 17.5
19 19 42.28 -17 07.1 -4.04 -10.8
24 20 09.73 -16 48.3 0.330 1.053 -4.68 -12.0 17.3
29 20 39.55 -16 10.6 -5.41 -14.0
Nov. 3 21 11.33 -15 10.7 0.317 1.070 -6.20 -17.0 17.2
8 21 44.40 -13 47.4 -6.95 -20.9
13 22 17.87 -12 02.1 0.321 1.101 -7.60 -25.1 17.2
18 22 50.80 - 9 59.2 -8.07 -29.2
23 23 22.32 - 7 45.3 0.346 1.143 -8.32 -32.4 17.3
28 23 51.81 - 5 27.5 -8.33 -34.2
Dec. 3 0 18.97 - 3 11.4 0.394 1.195 -8.16 -34.7 17.5
8 0 43.75 - 1 01.3 -7.83 -33.8
13 1 06.30 + 1 00.7 0.463 1.253 -7.41 -31.9 17.9
18 1 26.84 + 2 53.6 -6.94 -29.5
23 1 45.63 + 4 37.4 0.551 1.317 -6.45 -26.7 18.3
Jan. 2 2 18.92 + 7 39.1 -5.52 -21.2
12 2 48.02 +10 11.6 0.771 1.455 -4.69 -16.2 19.1
22 3 14.29 +12 19.9 -3.99 -12.1
Feb. 1 3 38.63 +14 08.1 1.041 1.600 -3.41 - 8.9 19.9
11 4 01.67 +15 38.8 -2.94 - 6.4
21 4 23.82 +16 54.0 1.348 1.745 -2.55 - 4.4 20.6
AM HER VARIABLES
D. Crampton and A. Cowley, Dominion Astrophysical Observatory,
report: "Visual observations during March revealed that AM Her (cf.
IAUC 2984, 2987) had returned to its faint state (near magnitude
15). Observations made on Apr. 19 show that the star is now of
about magnitude 14, however, and that it may be returning to its
maximum state. Spectrograms show that He II 4686 A is much weaker
than H, in contrast to its great strength during the 1976 maximum.
No definite absorption lines were detected. Further observations,
especially polarimetric and in the x-ray region, are highly
desirable before the star returns to maximum light."
R. Angel, J. Liebert and H. Stockman, University of Arizona; H.
Spinrad, University of California at Berkeley; and H. Bond, Louisiana
State University, have found that the photometric variations of
VV Pup (Warner and Nather 1972, Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc.
156, 305) have disappeared, the system remaining essentially constant
at about magnitude 17.5 throuqhout its 100-min orbital period.
Spectrum scans with the Kitt Peak 400-cm and Steward Observatory's
229-cm reflectors on Apr. 13 and 15 showed no definite absorption
or emission features. As recently as Mar. 24 strong H, He I and He
II emission lines, as well as large light variations, were present.
VV Pup is of particular interest because of Tapia's recent discovery
of its variable optical polarization (IAUC 3054).
Angel et al. also note that V2051 Oph, yet another object
suggested as an AM Her-type variable (IAUC 3049), has been found to be
an eclipsing binary with a period of 96 min. Spectrum scans show
strong H, He I and He II emission lines. Polarimetric and further
spectroscopic observations would be useful.
1977 April 26 (3065) Brian G. Marsden
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