[vsnet-chat 280] Re: Announcing new variable stars

[Taichi Kato <tkato@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp>]

Fraser Farrell wrote in [vsnet-chat 277]:

> Surely the observer would sent a copy of their discovery message to CBAT
> to confirm priority of discovery, as well as to other observers?  Bill
> Bradfield tells me this is normal practice among comet hunters.

   Yes, I think so, too.  However, as I understand, some hunters don't seem
to think their priority of the discovery is confirmed before the official
announcement is issued.  This thought may arise from the official procedure
of reporting new minor planets; in discovering minor planets it is not
sufficient to get priority by simply reporting "the new object is there".
(Besides their own priority, another reason why they do not report to other
observers is what I have written in vsnet-chat 273).

> As I understand the official procedure, CBAT will not publish the first
> message of any discovery until independent message of confirmation is
> received. Therefore confirmation will not occur unless either (a) the
> original discoverer announces their discovery and a message recipient
> then sees the object, or (b) another observer discovers the same object
> before it is announced.

   There is a mentioning in a Japanese astronomy magazine that a discovery
of a nova or a supernova would not be, except few exceptional occasions of
unmistakable bright novae etc., certified until its nature is confirmed by
spectroscopy.  Nova Sgr 1996 was reported, its existence confirmed by
another observer, even UBV photometry suggested a reddened nova-like UV
radiation, but the annoucement of the object was delayed until the
spectroscopic confirmation.  At least our observers probably understand
it is not sufficient that the message recipient sees the object.

>    >rules.  Variable stars without "the official criteria of
>    >discoveries" even would have then no chance to be reported.
>
> Any thoughts on that "Monthly Circular of New Variables" I described
> recently?

   Sounds excellent, but it would be practically impossible for anyone
(other than the GCVS editor?) to cover all areas of publications (printed
and electronic) so as to match the needs of readers.  Of course I am
happy to survey a new issues of IBVS to possibly announce an interesting
new variable star or to pick up new nomenclatures of CVs from the next
"Name List for Variable Stars" (when will it be issued?).
   Many observers, however, probably will not regard such circulars of
official value.

Regards,
Taichi Kato

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