Circular No. 4403 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 617-495-7244/7440/7444 COMET WILSON (1986l) H. P. Larson, University of Arizona; M. J. Mumma, Goddard Space Flight Center; H. A. Weaver, Space Telescope Science Institute; and S. Drapatz, Max Planck Institute for Physics and Astrophysics, report: "We have detected water vapor in comet Wilson (1986l) using high-resolution infrared spectra acquired with the University of Arizona's FTS on NASA's Kuiper Airborne Observatory. Observations were made on Apr. 12, 14 and 17 during 15h-18h UT. Twelve lines of the nu-3-band (001-000) and one of the hot-band (011-010), were detected. The water production rate was 2 to 3 x 10**29 molecules s-1 on Apr. 12 and 17 but was significantly smaller on Apr. 14. The water vapor lines were measured at about 2 km/s velocity resolution on Apr. 12. Several unidentified lines were found in the 2.6 micron region on Apr. 14, and a search for CH4 at 3.3 microns was also conducted. Although CH4 lines are not evident in the quick- look data, the cometary continuum was detected. A preliminary upper limit to the CH4 production rate is 4 x 10**28 molecules s-1. A survey spectrum (3.0-1.5 microns) was obtained at 10 cm-1 resolution (lambda/ dlambda about 240 at 2.1 microns) on Apr. 17, in which the nu-3-band H2O emission and the cometary continuum were simultaneously detected." Total visual magnitude estimates: May 25.46 UT, 6.6 (G. Garradd, Tamworth, N.S.W., 7 x 50 bin.); 26.36, 6.6 (Garradd); 28.38, 6.8 (Garradd); 30.27, 7.0 (G. W. Wolf, Wellington, N.Z., 7 x 50 bin.); June 1.42, 7.1 (Garradd); 2.36, 7.2 (Wolf). COMET SORRELLS (1986n) Total visual magnitude estimates: May 27.44 UT, 9.9 (A. Hale, Las Cruces, NM, 0.41-m reflector); 29.40 UT, 9.5 (E. A. Jacobson, Evansville, MN, 0.25-m reflector); 30.44, 10.1 (C. S. Morris, near Mt. Wilson, CA, 0.26-m reflector); June 1.71, 10.3 (G. W. Wolf, Wellington, New Zealand, 0.21-m reflector). NOVA ANDROMEDAE 1986 Visual magnitude estimates: May 1.16 UT, 12.7 (A. Mizser, Budapest, Hungary); 9.12, 12.4 (M. Verdenet, Bourbon-Lancy, France); 25.02, 12.2 (P. Schmeer, Bischmisheim, West Germany); 26.07, 12.3 (Schmeer). 1987 June 4 (4403) Brian G. Marsden
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