Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
IAUC 3481: X-RAY OUTBURST OF Aql X-1 (4U 1908+00); THE DOUBLE QUASAR Q0957+561; COMET ON PSS
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Read IAUC 3482
Circular No. 3481
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 617-864-5758
X-RAY OUTBURST OF AQUILA X-1 (4U 1908+00)
M. Oda and the Hakucho Team, University of Tokyo, report that,
following the discovery of an optical outburst of Aql X-1 by
B. Margon (cf. IAUC 3478), extensive observations were made by
Hakucho. From May 20 to 22 the x-ray intensity at 3-6 keV remained
at ~ 0.12 Crab, and the intensity then declined to ~ 0.08, 0.04 and
< 0.02 Crab on May 24, 26 and 28, respectively. During the observations
two intense x-ray bursts were recorded, on May 23d20h53m and
24d23h52m UT. The peak intensity of the bursts was ~ 2.5 Crab
in the 3-6 keV range. The location of the source of these bursts
is consistent with that of the source of the persistent emission,
thus excluding the possibility that the bursts came from the nearby
x-ray burster MXB1905+000.
THE DOUBLE QUASAR Q0957+561
D. E. Osterbrook, Lick Observatory, reports that W. Keel has
found evidence for recent variability of the double quasar Q0957+561.
Plates obtained on May 18 and 19 UT with the 0.9-m Crossley
reflector indicate that the ratio of brightness in the blue of
component B to component A is 0.95 +/- 0.05, significantly greater
than previously reported. Iris photometry calibrated with a nearby
photoelectric sequence indicates it is more likely that B has brightened
than that A has faded. Further observations at all wavelengths
are encouraged.
COMET ON PALOMAR SKY SURVEY
G. Auner, J. Dengel and R. Weinberger, Institut fur Astronomie,
Innsbruck, write that images of an unidentified comet appear on POSS
prints No. 1388. On the 50-min E exposure a somewhat diffuse trail
~ 0'.6 long is seen. On the 12-min O exposure the object is an only
slightly diffuse, elongated, weak spot of mean diameter ~ 6", with a
very faint tail ~ 1' long in p.a. ~ 150o. The position (+/- 3"):
1955 UT R.A. (1950) Decl. m1
Apr. 15.20625 11 28 39.8 -23 30 12 19.5
(x = 62 mm, y = 223 mm from the lower left corner) was determined
from the O print. The comet's daily motion is 19' +/- 3' in a
direction 25o +/- 3o west of north.
1980 June 3 (3481) Brian G. Marsden
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