THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF VARIABLE STAR OBSERVERS 25 Birch Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA BITNET: aavso@cfa SPAN: cfa::aavso INTERNET: aavso@cfa.harvard.edu Tel. 617-354-0484 FAX 617-354-0665 AAVSO ALERT NOTICE 187 (June 3,1994) 1729-19 NOVA OPHIUCHI 1994 We have been informed by T. Kato and by the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (IAU Circular 6001) that S. Nakano, Sumoto, Japan, reported the photographic discovery of an apparent nova in Ophiuchus by Akihiko Tago, Yanahara-cho, Kume-gun, Okayama, Japan, on June 1.647 and 2.672 UT, at magnitude 7.0. The discovery was made using T- Max 400 film and a 50-mm f/2.8 camera lens. Via S. Nakano, Y. Kushida, Yatsugatake South Base Observatory, Japan, reports the following position, precessed to epoch 1950, for N Oph 94 (IAU Circular 6001): R.A. = 17h 32m 47.56s Dec. = -19deg 17' 41.8" The nova was not visible on Tago's patrol photographs taken through May 20. Additional estimates from IAU Circular 6001 include: May 16.63 UT, < 9 photographic (M. Sugano, Kakogawa, Hyogo, Tri-X film); Jun 1.73, 7.5-8 photographic (Sugano); 2.621, 6.5 photovisual (M. Yamamoto, Okazaki, Aichi, independent discovery, T-Max film)); 3.54, 8.5 visual (Kushida); 3.557, 7.9 photovisual (Kushida, T-Max 400 film); 3.617, 7.8 visual (S. Takahashi, Dynic Astronomical Observatory). D. Overbeek, Edenvale, South Africa, reports this object of reddish-yellow color and at 8.5 visual magnitude on June 3.81 UT, using comparison stars SAO 160635 (V= 7.755 and B- V = +0.511 - Hipparcos Input Catalogue) and SAO 160647 (9.1 visual - SAO Catalog). Please use the accompanying chart from the AAVSO Variable Star Atlas to observe N Oph 94 and report your observations to AAVSO Headquarters so we may inform the astronomical community. Be sure to include which comparison stars you are using to make your estimates. Congratulations to Akihiko Tago and Minoru Yamamoto on their discoveries! OUTBURST OF 1215-17 TV CORVI D. York, Abiquiu, NM, and D. Overbeek, Edenvale, South Africa, independently reported an outburst of the dwarf nova TV Crv. This outburst is continuing with a slow decline, as indicated by the following observations: May 28.18 UT, 14.0 (D. York, Abiquiu, NM); 28.21, 14.0 (York); 28.24, 14.0 (York); 29.70, 12.1 (D. Overbeek, Edenvale, South Africa); 30.15, 12.4 (York); 30.17, 12.5 (York); 30.20, 12.4 (York); 30.22, 12.5 (York); Jun 1.24, < 13.0 (R. Royer, Lakewood, CA); 2.19, 13.5 (York); 2.20, < 13.0 (Royer); 2.23, 13.6 (York); 2.25, 13.6 (York). This variable has an interesting history. It was discovered as a "nova" in 1931 by Clyde Tombaugh during his photographic trans-Saturnian planet search, which led to his discovery of Pluto. D. Levy in the late 1980's examined Harvard photographic plates taken from 1930 to 1988 for more possible outbursts of this object and discovered 9 more, which then confirmed TV Crv to be not a nova but a dwarf nova-type cataclysmic variable. Please use the accompanying finder chart from the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand, Variable Star Section, to observe TV Crv and report your observations to Headquarters. BRIGHT OUTBURST OF 0203+56A UV PERSEI - CORRECTION AND UPDATE In AAVSO Alert Notice 186, an observation of UV Per on June 1.48 UT at 10.5 was reported by R. Royer, Lakewood, CA. This observation was an error and should be ignored. UV Per continues to be bright. Recent observations include Jun 1.28 UT, 12.0 (C. Scovil, Stamford, CT); 2.23, 12.7 (R. Stewart, Rochelle Park, NJ); 2.29, 12.2 (Scovil); 2.48,12.2 (R. Royer, Lakewood, CA); 3.48, 12.4 (Royer); 3.50, 12.4 (Royer). Please continue to observe UV Per, using the chart distributed with AAVSO Alert Notice 186, and report your observations to AAVSO Headquarters. The answering machine at AAVSO Headquarters is on nights and weekends for your convenience. Thank you very much for all your efforts and your astronomical contributions. Clear skies and good observing! Janet A. Mattei Director