COMMISSION 27 OF THE I.A.U.
             INFORMATION BULLETIN ON VARIABLE STARS
                             NUMBER 93

                                          Konkoly Observatory
                                          Budapest
                                          3 May 1965


                    NOVA AURIGAE 1960-1964


          1855.0   6h 6m 32s      +28deg 37'.8
          1900.0   6  9  23       +28    37 .2

      The variability of this object was first announced by Dr. M.
Popova from Sofia, who, during a temporary stay at Sonneberg
Observatory in 1960, compared plates of the camera 140/700 mm.
The preliminary designation is S 5420 Aur. According to Mrs.
Popova the variability was "slow" between 12m.5 and [14m.5 (MVS 463,
1960; AN 286.8., 1961), and the star seemed to be red, thus
suggesting a long period variable. In April 1965 I recovered the
variable independently on plates from the astrograph 440/1600 mm,
and, after examining many plates, I came to regard it as a Nova
of RT Serpentis-type.

      The star was invisible 1959 January to April; it appears
first in October 1959, rising slowly to the maximum 11m.3, 1963
Jan. 17/18; 1964 Dec. 9 it was 14m, descending rapidly to 15m.5
on Dec. 23, and being invisible, [15m.5, on 140 mm-plates in
February and March 1965, Strong fluctuations up to 1m.5 are
superimposed to the light-curve. Another rise, but not brighter
than 13m, is covered by our plates from mid-September 1942 to
the end of 1943. On Palomar Sky Atlas the praenova is visible
as a faint blue star, about 18m on the blue plate, 19m on the
red plate, 1951 Nov. 3/4. The image is absolutely star-like
without any trace of a shell, as might have been expected from
a preceding outburst.

   In order to fill the gaps, caused by bad weather, contributions 
from other observatories would be highly appreciated.


                                  C. HOFFMEISTER
                              Sonneberg Observatory




                  SUPERNOVA IN NGC 4162

                 Compare Bulletin No. 90

      The supernova is confirmed by a plate of 1965 April 19,
the star being about 17m.5

                                  C. HOFFMEISTER
                              Sonneberg Observatory