Circular No. 4210 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 SUPERNOVA 1986G IN NGC 5128 M. W. Feast, South African Astronomical Observatory, reports the following optical photometry on May 5 by P. W. Hill with the 1.0-m reflector and infrared photometry by R. S. Stobie with the 1.9-m reflector: V = 11.88, B-V = +0.98, U-B = +0.52, J = 10.08, H = 9.95, K = 9.89. A spectrum obtained on May 6 by A. Fairall shows the supernova to be of type I. M. Phillips, Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, telexes: "Spectra obtained during May 5-7 by J. Tonry and M. Strauss show that the supernova is of type I and approaching maximum. Strong interstellar Na I D absorption is present, at the redshift of NGC 5128, indicating that the supernova is substantially reddened by the dust lane. A higher resolution spectrum taken by S. Heathcote, A. Cowley and J. Hutchings shows strong interstellar Ca II H and K absorption with a complicated profile, including a weaker component that may be due to our own Galaxy. Photometry obtained by D. Geisler and myself indicates that the supernova was slowly increasing in brightness during May 5-7. Observations made on May 7.05 UT yield approximate magnitude and color V = 11.71, B-V = +1.01." AM CANUM VENATICORUM U. R. Rao and his team, Indian Space Research Organization, Bangalore, report: "The ultrashort-period interacting binary AM CVn was detected in an extremely active state on Feb. 7. An outburst brightening by 1.1 mag in white light at 21h15m UT lasted for a complete orbital (?) period of 1051 s and showed the characteristic double-humped structure. This is the largest flaring activity so far reported on this normally quiescent object. We had reported earlier a smaller flare brightening of 0.34 mag in 1985. Photometric observations were made with a GAAS phototube attached to the 1-m reflector at the Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavalur. We urge observers to continue photometric monitoring of this object using flat response tubes." VY AQUARII J. Mattei, AAVSO, communicates the following magnitude estimates by R. Harvan, Ridge, MD: May 4.39 UT, 10.3; 5.39, 10.3. She stresses the need for high-speed photometry of possible superhumps. 1986 May 8 (4210) Brian G. Marsden
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