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A Method for Improved Visual Positional Estimates of Nova and Supernova Candidates

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William G. Dillon

4703 Birkenhead Circle

Missouri City, TX 77459

Presented at the 84th AAVSO Spring Meeting, May 13, 1995

Abstract

For a faint nova or for supernova candidates in crowded star fields, accurate reporting of their locations is essential. With a modest-sized telescope, a reticle eyepiece, a good star catalogue, and a pair of reference stars, positional estimates accurate to a few arcseconds are possible using a technique adapted from photography. The uncertainty in the position can be quantified if three or more reference stars are used.