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			THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF VARIABLE STAR OBSERVERS 
				25 Birch Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
				BITNET: aavso@cfa8 SPAN: nssdca::cfa8::aavso
				Tel. 617-354-0484	FAX 617-354-0665

				AAVSO ALERT NOTICE 151 (December 24, 1991)

SUPEROUTBURST OF 0203 + 36A UV PERSEI

The cataclysmic variable 0203 + 56A UV Persei is undergoing a superoutburst, as 
indicated by the following observations from AA VSO observers:

Dec 	21.990 UT	12.3 G. Dyck, Assonet, MA
	22.224		11.6 J. Griese, Rocky Hill, CT
	23.032		11.0 C. Scovil, Stamford, CT
	23.033		11.4 J. Griese
	23.157		11.5 R. Stewart, W. Paterson, NJ
	24.277		11.6 R. Stewart

Recent superoutbursts reported include May 1987 and October 1989, when UV Per 
reached approximately 11.6. The most recent outburst was reported in January 
1991, when the star reached approximately magnitude 12.0 and was bright for 
approximately three days.

Please monitor UV Per closely, using the accompanying AAVSO chart, and report 
your observations to AAVSO Headquarters.

SUPEROUTBURST OF 0803+62 SU URSAE MAJORIS

This cataclysmic variable is also undergoing a superoutburst. Recent observations include

Dec 	17.422 UT	12.2 R. Hays, Worth, IL
	18.469		11.2 R. Hays
	19.456		11.5 J. Bortle, Stormville, NY
	19.47		11.5 G. Dyck, Assonet, MA
	19.490		11.2 R. Hays
	20.417		11.5 R. Royer, Lakewood, CA
	23.000		11.9 G. Dyck
	23.169		11.9 R. Stewart, W. Paterson, NJ

Please use the accompanying chart to observe SU UMa and report your observations to 
Headquarters.

SUPERNOVA IN NGC 4374

We have been informed by the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams of the report 
by H. Kosai, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, of the visual discovery of 
a supernova in NGC 4374 (M84) by Reiki Kushida, YatSugatake South Base Observatory, 
Japan, on December 9.844 UT. The supernova discovery was reported to the Bureau on 
December 12. The position of the supernova (epoch 1950) is

			R.A 12h 22' 31.54"  Decl. +13deg 08' 52.4"

The presence of the supernova was confirmed by astronomers at the University of 
California at Berkeley. It was confirmed spectroscopically as a Type Ia supernova, 
although perhaps spectroscopically somewhat peculiar, by astronomers at the F.L. 
Whipple Observatory, University of California at Berkeley, and Lawrence 
Livermore National Laboratory.

A visual observation made on December 19.5 by C. Scovil indicated it had faded 
to approximately magnitude 15, an estimate very difficult to make because of 
the waxing moon and the very small observational window between moonset and 
predawn. twilight. A photovisual observation made by R. Royer on December 20.5 
indicated magnitude 14.2 for the supernova, although he commented that visually 
the supernova could be fainter.

Observations of the supernova include

Nov 	17.802 UT	(15.1 photovisual, Y. Kushida, Yacsugatake South Base
					Observatory, Japan
Dec 	3.77		14.9 photovisual, Y. Kushida
	7.54		14.9: photovisual, R Royer, Lakewood, CA
	9.844		14.0: visual, R Kushida, Yacsugatake South Base
					Observatory, Japan
	9.860		14.5 photovisual, Y. Kushida
	10.8		14.3: photoelectric V, T. Kato, National Astronomical
					Observatory, Japan
	10.804		14.4 photovisual, Y. Kushida
	19.5		15: visual, C. Scovil, Stamford, CT
	20.5		14.2 photovisual, R Royer

Please use the enclosed chart of NGC 4374 to observe the supernova and report 
your observations to Headquarters.

Our congratulations to Reiki on her visual discovery!

The answering machine (617-354-0484) will be on at Headquarters 24 hours a 
day December 24 - 29, and will be checked twice daily. After December 29 it 
will be on weekends and nights, as usual.

Janet Mattei, who is out of the country on a family matter, and I thank you 
very much for your astronomical efforts and contributions. Best wishes to 
you and your loved ones from us at AAVSO Headquarters for happy holidays.

Clear skies and good observing!

Elizabeth O. Waagen
Senior Technical Assistant