[vsnet-obs 20138] (fwd) object identification request

[Taichi Kato <tkato>]

   Looks like a flash from a satellite.  Could someone suggest?

From owner-vsnet-adm@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp Fri Apr 16 16:02 JST 1999
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 02:01:31 -0500 (CDT)
From: Robert Warren Brown <rwb0006@jove.acs.unt.edu>
To: vsnet-adm@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp
cc: skyline@corvus.com, majordomo@latrade.com, astronews@geocities.com,
        majordomo@mindspring.com, aavso-discussion-request@physics.mcmaster.ca,
        saul@lbl.gov
Subject: ****Possible Nova****

To all interested parties.  I am an amateur astronomer located in Denton
Texas.  This evening as I was teaching a astronomy class at the University
of North Texas observatory, I witnessed what may be a nova.  I noticed
that a real bright star was in a location that I have never noticed.  I
was looking at it trying to figure out what it was because it was so
bright. ( greater than -2 mag.) This was in the constellation Ursa Major
approximate RA was 9hr 50min, dec 59.  I think the star was Upsilon Ursae
Majoris, SAO # 27401.  In any case, the object was very bright and as I
came to realize how out of place it was, it began to dim.  When I first
noticed this object it was far brighter than any of the primary stars in
the dipper!  As I watched in the span of a few seconds, this object dimmed
to less than +3 mag by my estimate. 

 I trained a scope on it and could not add anything except a possible
fuzzyness that may be due to atmospheric conditions here in the area. 
This occured at approximately 12:43AM Central.
Approx.Julian Date: 2451284.73 by my calculations.
RA 9hr 50 min Dec +59 degrees

I obviously would like some confirmation on this sighting.
Sincerly
Robert W. Brown
(940)383-5961
Denton Texas

VSNET Home Page

Return to Daisaku Nogami

---

vsnet-adm@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp