Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
IAUC 4656: 1988T, 1988U; QU Vul; 1987g
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Circular No. 4656
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
Postal Address: Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
TWX 710-320-6842 ASTROGRAM CAM Telephone 617-495-7244/7440/7444
MARSDEN or GREEN@CFA.BITNET MARSDEN or GREEN@CFAPS2.SPAN
SUPERNOVAE 1988T AND 1988U
L. Hansen and H. E. Jorgensen, Copenhagen University Observatory;
H. U. Norgaard-Nielsen, Danish Space Research Institute; R. S. Ellis,
Physics Department, University of Durham; and W. J. Couch,
Anglo-Australian Observatory, telex: "The data obtained on the
two possible supernovae mentioned on IAUC 4641 have now been studied
further, and we find that the events are indeed supernovae.
The first object (SN 1988T) is only present in frames obtained
during 1988 Feb. 15-18. Subsequent observations from Apr. 10
until July 14 show no differences when compared to the image from 1987
Mar. 3. Based on the V exposures obtained by L. Hansen and the
R (Kron-Cousins) exposures by W. Couch, we find V = 23.4 and R = 23.2
for SN 1988T, which is displaced 0".4 north of the galaxy center.
The brightness and the rather blue color are compatible with a
type-II SN near maximum, but the uncertainty of the color is such
that a declining, type-I object cannot be excluded.
The second object (SN 1988U, in a galaxy in the cluster AC 118)
was followed until one week after discovery. The V brightness faded by
0.15 mag/day (as fast as the fastest nearby SNe). The SN was
displaced 1" to the southeast of the galaxy center. On Sept. 6, the
SN was not detected (V >/= 24.0); in spite of the rapid decline,
the brightness and light curve is compatible with a type-I SN."
QU VULPECULAE
R. J. Rudy, G. S. Rossano, and D. K. Lynch, Space Sciences
Laboratory, The Aerospace Corporation; and R. C. Puetter,
University of California at San Diego, report: "Near-infrared
observations of QU Vul have been obtained using a cooled Ge grating
spectrometer with a 7".5-diameter aperture on Lick Observatory's
Shane 3-m telescope. Moderate-resolution spectroscopy (lambda/
Delta lambda = 400) on Sept. 24.2 UT shows that the nova has
brightened at J (narrow band 1.25 microns) to 6.6, suggesting the
recent expulsion of a shell of material. Estimated b and v
magnitudes are 8.2 and 8.0, respectively. Its spectrum shows strong
H and He emission lines with FWHM about 2000 km/sec at Paschen-beta;
He 1083.0-nm shows a P-Cyg profile."
PERIODIC COMET TEMPEL 2 (1987g)
Total visual magnitude estimates (B = binoculars):
Sept. 3.81 UT, 7.7 (R. Haver, Rome, Italy, 15x80 B); 13.17, 8.3
(C. S. Morris, Pine Mountain Club, CA, 20x80 B); 17.14, 8.0
(R. Keen, Mt. Thorodin, CO, 8x40 B).
1988 September 26 (4656) Daniel W. E. Green
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