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IAUC 3723: Poss. Id OF X-RAY BURSTER WITH Ser X-2; NGC 4151; 1982g

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IAUC number 

                                                  Circular No. 3723
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


POSSIBLE IDENTIFICATION OF X-RAY BURSTER WITH SERPENS X-2
     M. Oda and the Hakucho Team, Institute of Space and Astronautical
Science, telex their discovery of a new x-ray burster on Aug.
18.646 UT at R.A. = 18h12m +/- 2m, Decl. = -12o.2 +/- 0o.1 (equinox
1950.0), which is probably associated with Ser X-2 (= 4U 1812-12).  The
peak intensity of the burst was ~4 times the Crab intensity in 2-9 keV.


NGC 4151
     C. Lloyd and M. V. Penston, Royal Greenwich Observatory, report:
"Since approximately 1981 Apr., this Seyfert galaxy has remained
consistently fainter than B ~ 13.0.  Recent observations show a slow
but definite brightening, indicating the end of the 17-month quiescent
period of NGC 4151 (cf. IAUC 3648), as seen in the following
approximate B-magnitudes: June 9, 12.9; 29, 12.7; July 17, 12.6;
Aug. 19, 12.6.  The response of the emission lines and the infrared
continuum to this increase in optical continuum flux may provide
important information about the different regions surrounding the
object.  We will continue monitoring NGC 4151 in the optical; we urge
observations at all wavelengths."


COMET AUSTIN (1982g)
     C. W. McCracken and L. W. Brown, Goddard Space Flight Center,
communicate: "Spectrograms obtained on Aug. 26.06 UT confirm the
emissions reported earlier (cf. IAUC 3722) and, in addition, show
emission by OH, NH, and CO+ (5 bands).  The spectrograph slit was
oriented along the probable direction for an ionic tail; the
spectrograms show CO+ emission asymetric about the head and extending
from the coma back to the end of the slit (~5') in the anti-solar
direction."
     Further total visual magnitude, coma diameter, and tail length
estimates: Aug. 28.05 UT, 5.3, 5', 3o in p.a. ~30d (C. S. Morris,
Harvard, MA, 20x80 binoculars); 29.06, 5.4, 6', 3o+ in p.a. ~30d
(Morris); 30.02, 5.5, -, - (Morris); 30.03, 5.4, 8', ~2o (D. W. E.
Green, 20x80 binoculars).
     It should be noted that no astrometric observations of this
bright object made between Aug. 2-27 have been reported, and two
observations made on Aug. 27 and 28 at Oak Ridge Observatory were
hampered by clouds.  Radio astronomers attempting to observe this
comet are requesting up-to-date orbital elements from the Bureau.


1982 August 30                 (3723)              Daniel W. E. Green

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