THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF VARIABLE STAR OBSERVERS
               25 Birch Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
                    INTERNET:  aavso@aavso.org
               Tel. 617-354-0484       FAX 617-354-0665


               AAVSO ALERT NOTICE 227 (August 28, 1996)


1205-61 PROBABLE NOVA IN CRUX

We have been informed by William Liller, Vina del Mar, Chile, and by the
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (IAU Circular 6463), of the
photographic discovery by W. Liller, using the PROBLICOM method, of a probable
nova in Crux on Aug 26.04 UT.  He measured a CCDV magnitude of 9.25 on Aug
26.98, using magnitudes found in the Guide Star Catalog for nearby stars.

The position of the probable nova is given by Liller as:

            R.A. = 12h 10.51m     Decl. = -61 degrees 45.3'  (2000)

Additional observations of the probable nova include Aug 7.0 UT, <11.5
photographic, Liller; 27.781, 10.1 (poor observing conditions), D. Overbeek,
Edenvale, South Africa; 28.706, 10.4, Overbeek; 28.809, 11.1 (haze, moon), J.
Hers, Sedgefield, South Africa.

Accompanying is a CCDV image of the field of the probable nova taken and
supplied by W. Liller, showing the object at V magnitude 9.25 on Aug 26.98 UT.

Also accompanying is a chart showing the probable nova in Crux made using "The
Sky" software; magnitudes are from the Guide Star Catalog.  Please use this
chart to make your observations, and report them to AAVSO Headquarters.  Be
sure to indicate which comparison stars you used in making your estimates.

Congratulations to Bill on his latest discovery!


OUTBURST OF 0749+22 U GEMINORUM

The dwarf nova type cataclysmic variable U Gem has gone into outburst (see
AAVSO News Flash 53), as the following observations reported to the AAVSO
indicate:

Aug 24.420 UT, <10.0:, R. Modic, Richmond Heights, OH; 25.10, 9.2, R. Fidrich,
Bakonycsernye, Hungary; 25.4056, 9.5, R. Hays, Worth, IL; 25.410, 9.6, Modic;
26.10, 9.0, Fidrich; 26.3750, 9.3, C. Scovil, Stamford, CT; 26.407, 9.7, Modic.

The last outburst of U Gem occurred in March 1996, when U Gem reached magnitude
9.3 and was bright for 13 days.

Please monitor U Gem throughout its outburst and report your observations to
AAVSO Headquarters.


BRIGHTENING OF 1848-19 FN SAGITTARII

The Z And type symbiotic variable FN Sgr is brightening (see AAVSO News Flash
53), as the following observations reported to the AAVSO indicate:

Jul 17.1076 UT, 14.1, R. Harvan, Leonardstown, MD; 20.1319, 13.9, Harvan;
21.1375, 13.8, Harvan; 21.1382, 14.3, J. Bortle, Stormville, NY; Aug 7.2785,
12.3:, L. Shaw, Pinole, CA; 14.181, 12.5, R. Modic, Richmond Heights, OH;
16.1049, 12.8, Bortle; 19.1292, 12.5, Bortle; 22.1750, 12.8:, Shaw; 23.1854,
12.8, Shaw; 26.0694, 12.1, Bortle.

This star has been in the AAVSO observing program since July 1968. Observations
reported to the AAVSO International Database since then show FN Sgr varying
between magnitudes 11.1 and 14.3.

Accompanying is a "d" scale AAVSO preliminary chart of FN Sgr.  Please use this
chart to observe FN Sgr, and report your observations to AAVSO Headquarters,
indicating which comparison stars you used.


CHARTS AVAILABLE ON AAVSO FTP SITE AND AAVSO WEB SITE HOME PAGE

Electronic copies of the AAVSO charts of the probable nova in Crux and FN Sgr
and the image of the probable nova mentioned in this Alert Notice are available
from our FTP site:

              ftp.aavso.org (198.116.78.2), in /pub/alert227

The charts and the image have also been placed on our Web site at the following
address:

                         http://www.aavso.org


The answering machine at AAVSO Headquarters is on nights and weekends for your
convenience.  Please call our charge-free number (800-642-3883) to report your
observations.  If you are cut off when you telephone in your observations,
please wait a few minutes and call back to complete your call.  We have learned
that if someone calls to leave observations on the answering machine and while
they are speaking someone else calls, the first person may be cut off.  We
also encourage observers to send observations by fax to 617-354-0665 or by
e-mail through the Internet to observations@aavso.org.  We would appreciate it
very much if you would report your observations in Universal Time.


Many thanks for your valuable astronomical contributions and your efforts.

Good observing!

Janet A. Mattei
Director