COMMISSION 27 OF THE I. A. U. INFORMATION BULLETIN ON VARIABLE STARS Number 2774 Konkoly Observatory Budapest 12 August 1985 HU ISSN 0374 - 0676 PHOTOGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS OF NGC 2346 DURING 1994 - 1985 We report further photographic observations of the central star of NGC 2346 obtained during the 1994 - 85 observing season. These continue from the observations reported for the three previous seasons, (see Marino and Williams, 1984, end the references therein). The methods of observation end reduction are the same as in previous years. 66 photographs were taken by Williams using the equipment described previously. A further 4 photographs were taken by M. Bos of Auckland. All magnitudes were determined from the photographs by Marino. The new photographic estimates are presented in Table I. The approximate times of observed maxima with cycle phase positions are given in Table II. The sixteen day periodicity of the light curve continues in the current data. Maxima are maintaining the 0.8 phase position, half a cycle displaced from the maxima observed prior to cycle 167.0. From early in the season maxima were as bright as mV = 11 ( c.f. mV ~ 13 at the end of the 1983 - 84 season). This was the steady magnitude of the central star prior to onset of the first occulting events in 1981 - 82. The maxima appear to be becoming wider with time end the minima narrower indicating a continuing clearing of the obscuring cloud from our line of sight to the system. The magnitude at minima continued to be fainter than mV = 14 for the full observing season. Observations are to be continued during the next season. Table I Photographic observations of the central star of NGC 2346 between 1984 November and 1985 May J.D. 2446000+ mV phase J.D. 2446000+ mV phase 025.1 fainter than 14.4 181.30 133.8 11.9 188.09 026.0 fainter than 14.4 181.35 134.9 13.4 188.16 034.1 11.6 181.86 135.8 13.5 188.22 051.9 12.3 182.97 139.9 13.4 188.47 052.9 13.2 183.03* 140.9 11.9 188.54 054.9 fainter than 14.4 183.16* 141.8 11.4 188.59 057.9 fainter than 14.4 183.35 143.9 11.4 188.72 061.9 12.9 183.60 145.9 10.8 188.85 062.0 12.9 183.60* 155.8 13.5 189.47 065.0 11.0 183.79* 162.9 11.2 189.91 074.9 fainter than 14.0 184.41 164.8 11.4 190.03 075.9 fainter than 14.0 184.47 165.9 11.4 190.10 077.9 13.3 184.60 166.8 11.8 190.16 078.9 12.6 184.66 167.9 13.6 190.23 079.9 11.9 184.72 168.8 fainter than 14.4 190.28 080.9 11.2 184.73 169.9 14.2 190.35 082.9 12.0 184.85 170.8 13.8 190.41 084.9 13.1 185.04 171.8 13.1 190.47 086.9 14.2 185.16 176.8 10.8 190.78 087.9 14.6 185.22 177.8 11.1 190.84 088.9 14.6 185.29 178.9 11.0 190.91 092.9 12.9 185.54 184.8 14.2 191.28 095.9 11.5 185.72 185.8 14.5 191.35 096.9 11.7 185.79 191.8 10.8 191.72 097.9 11.5 185.85 192.8 10.8 191.78 098.9 11.7 185.91 193.8 11.0 191.85 099.9 11.9 185.97 194.8 11.5 191.91 102.9 fainter than 14.0 186.16 197.8 11.8 192.10 105.9 fainter than 14.0 186.35 201.8 14.0 192.35 108.9 13.3 186.54 202.8 13.0 192.41 110.9 11.7 186.66 204.8 11.3 192.53 113.9 11.0 186.85 212.8 11.2 193.03 116.9 11.4 187.04 213.8 11.3 193.10 119.9 14.0 187.22 215.8 12.6 193.22 120.8 fainter than 14.4 187.28 * photographs by M. Bos, all others by H. Williams Table II Approximate times and phases of maxima for the central star of NGC 2346 J.D. 2446000+ mV phase comments 034.1 11.6 181.86 051.9 12.3 182.97 probably earlier 065.0 11.0 183.79 080.9 11.2 184.73 095.9 11.5 185.72 probably later 113.9 11.0 186.85 133.9 11.9 188.09 probably earlier 145.9 10.8 188.85 162.9 12.2 189.91 probably earlier 176.8 10.8 190.78 192.3 10.8 191.75 212.8 11.2 193.03 earlier. Brian F. MARINO and H.O. WILLIAMS Auckland Astronomical Society P.O. Box 2858, Auckland 1 New Zealand Reference: Marino, B.F. and Williams, H.O., 1984, I.B.V.S. No. 2583.