COMMISSION 27 OF THE I. A. U.
          INFORMATION BULLETIN ON VARIABLE STARS
                       NUMBER 663

                                            Konkoly Observatory
                                            Budapest
                                            1972 April 24


           A NEW SPECTRUM VARIABLE STAR IN OPHIUCHUS


On objective-prism plates taken a number of years ago with the Curtis Schmidt
telescope at Cerro Tololo, we have found a star showing definite spectrum and
light variations. The approximate 1900 coordinates are R.A. 17h02.2m and Dec.
-25deg40' which places the variable about one minute of arc due east of 
the 9th magnitude star CD -25deg11972.

There is no evidence of this star on moderately deep plates taken July 7, 12,
14 and 30, 1967. However, on similar plates obtained Aug. 3 and 5, 1967, a
strong emission-line spectrum appears containing the Balmer series, HeI 4471, a
broad feature in the lambda 4640-86 region and perhaps [OIII] 4363. From the
weak continuum present we can estimate that the star was near the 14th
magnitude on these nights.

Using differential measurements relative to CD -25deg11792 we have a reliable
identification of the star on the Palomar Atlas where we estimate B~16.5 mag.
and R~16.0 mag. These spectral and photometric data would seem to dismiss the
possibility of a nova and suggest an eruptive variable perhaps of the U Gem
type. Our identification chart was copied from the blue-sensitive Palomar
Atlas chart.

                          [FIGURE 1]

April 12, 1972

                              N. SANDULEAK
                              Warner and Swasey Observatory
                              of Case Western Reserve University
                              East Cleveland, OHIO 44112, U.S.A.