Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
IAUC 3205: X Per; 1977m; 1977l; MINOR PLANET CIRCULARS
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Read IAUC 3206
Circular No. 3205
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
X PERSEI
M. S. Barbour and J. C. Kemp, University of Oregon, write: "A
surprising type of variability has been found in the V-band
polarization, based on 83 measures (76 nights) from 1977 Aug. 20 to 1978
Mar. 26. Using Stokes parameters Q', along the mean polarization
(p = 0.94 percent, p.a. 43o.4), and U', at 45o to Q', we found real
rms fluctuations Delta-Q' = 0.132 percent, while Delta-U' = 0.067 percent.
The variation is strongly directional, being mainly along the mean
polarization itself. This suggests shell-star behavior and implies
that a substantial part of the total polarization is intrinsic.
The power spectra are virtually white: at the 0.04-percent level no
definite periodicity has been found among periods from 6 hr to 6
months - including proposed periods of 22h.4 (also 11h.2 and 44h.8).
Analysis for a possible 13.9-min effect is under way."
COMET KOHIER (1977m)
Further precise positions have been reported as follows:
1977/78 UT R. A. (1950) Decl. Observer
Oct. 7.02847 16 42 52.05 +16 27 25.4 McCutcheon
Jan. 8.13675 0 20 21.66 -34 02 10.4 Young
R. A. McCutcheon (Yale University Observatory, Bethany Station).
P. Young (Palomar Mountain Observatory). Measurer: S. J. Bus.
The following elliptical elements, by the undersigned, are
based on 270 observations 1977 Sept. 6 to 1978 Jan. 30, perturbations
by all nine planets being taken into account:
Epoch = 1977 Oct. 24.0 ET
T = 1977 Nov. 10 5701 ET Peri. = 163.4880
e = 0.999502 Node = 181.8240 1950.0
q = 0.990570 AU Incl. = 48.7181
1978 ET R. A. (1950) Decl. Delta r m2
June 1 5 57.95 -14 28.4 3.780 3.101 17.8
11 6 13.23 -14 20.9
21 6 27.83 -14 24.7 4.059 3.327 18.3
July 1 6 41.75 -14 39.0
11 6 54.97 -15 03.3 4.298 3.548 18.7
21 7 07.45 -15 37.0
31 7 19.17 -16 19.4 4.488 3.765 19.0
Aug. 10 7 30.09 -17 09.7
20 7 40.15 -18 07.4 4.626 3.978 19.3
30 7 49.30 -19 11.6
Sept. 9 7 57.46 -20 21.5 4.711 4.188 19.6
19 8 04.54 -21 36.0
29 8 10.47 -22 54.1 4.747 4.394 19.8
Oct. 9 8 15.14 -24 14.5
19 8 18.44 -25 35.5 4.744 4.596 20.0
29 8 20.29 -26 55.2
Nov. 8 8 20.60 -28 11.4 4.718 4.795 20.2
18 8 19.33 -29 21.3
28 8 16.50 -30 22.2 4.693 4.992 20.3
Dec. 8 8 12.21 -31 11.0
18 8 06.65 -31 44.8 4.697 5.185 20.5
m2 = 10.0 + 5 log Delta + 10 log r
Total visual magnitude estimates by A. F. Jones, Nelson, New
Zealand (31-cm reflector): Feb. 6.39 UT, 12.4; 8.37, 12.4.
PERIODIC COMET CHERNYKH (1977l)
The following positions, by T. Furuta (Tokai) and T. Seki (Geisei),
are from Orient. Astron. Assoc. Comet Bull. Nos. 160 and 162:
1977/78 UT R. A. (1950) Decl. m1 Observer
Dec. 10.50608 0 07 05.0 - 5 56 19 14 Furuta
10.51215 0 07 05.1 - 5 56 14 "
11.39769 0 07 45.6 - 5 50 43 14 "
11.40660 0 07 46.0 - 5 50 38 "
Jan. 1.43021 0 27 44.35 - 3 13 26.5 14 Seki
29.43125 1 03 47.49 + 1 09 50.2 15 Furuta
29.43750 1 03 48.12 + 1 09 54.4 "
MINOR PLANET CIRCULARS
The IAU Minor Planet Center is in the process of moving from
Cincinnati to Cambridge, and from July onwards we shall be publishing
the Minor Planet Circulars as well as the IAU Circulars. It is
expected that the MPCs will be issued in batches at intervals of
approximately one month, and it has been proposed that less urgent
material on comets (precise positions obtained after a satisfactory
orbit is available; ephemerides calculated long in advance) be
transferred to the MPCs ("Minor Planets and Comets"). Subscriptions
will be handled as for the IAU Circulars: regular subscribers,
charged 8c per issue, will be billed annually following their initial
payment of $24.00 (for 300 issues); special subscribers,
charged 5c per issue, keep track of their own accounts, making
payments ($5.00 for 100 issues, $10.00 for 200) when necessary. Those
interested in receiving the MPCs should contact the Central Bureau.
1978 April 10 (3205) Brian G. Marsden
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