Prediscovery CCD observations of Nova Oph 1998 by Kosaka CCD magnitude estimates by VSOLJ members object YYMMDD(UT) mag code OPHnova1998 970626.622 <118V KOS.VSOLJ OPHnova1998 970724.497 <118V KOS.VSOLJ OPHnova1998 980521.627 <110V KOS.VSOLJ OPHnova1998 980531.622 <118V KOS.VSOLJ ** magnitudes are 2-sigma upper limits. On May 31 image (**) the nova may be at the detection limit, near ~12.6. Observer's code: KOS (tentative desig.): K. Kosaka (Okayama, Japan) 100-mm F2.8 + St-&, V-filter 15sec