COMMISSION 27 OF THE I. A. U.
           INFORMATION BULLETIN ON VARIABLE STARS
                       Number 3096



                                          Konkoly Observatory
                                          Budapest
                                          9 October 1987

                                          HU ISSN 0374-0676


         IDENTIFICATION OF VARIABLE STARS IN SAGITTARIUS

   In a previous number of this Bulletin, the discovery of six bright variable 
stars in Sagittarius was reported (Campos and Sanchez, 1987). In view
of the many exhaustive surveys for variables which have been carried out over many
decades for this region, the discovery of several bright, large amplitude
variables is somewhat surprising. I have examined the data given (coordinates
and finder charts) to see whether any of the objects have been previously 
reported as variable, especially with objects listed in the General Catalogue
of Variable Stars (Kukarkin et al., 1970).
                                           
   I found the finder charts for B, D, E, F, K and L of Campos and Sanchez's
list to be more accurate and reliable than their published coordinates. In
three cases (stars D, E and F) their identity was immediately apparent by
comparison with previously published finder charts. The coordinates for the
remaining three stars are inaccurate. I have redetermined the coordinates 
of all the Campos and Sanchez variables, using their finder charts and
reference stars from the CPD catalogue. The results of my research are given
in Table I.

 Table I: coordinates and identifications for six variables

ID LETTER*   R.A.       (2000) DEC.   IDENTIFICATION        HDE CHART
B            18h41m33s       -29d 4'8   V915 Sgr              ....
D            18 18 46        -36 22.5   LM Sgr                185
E            18 27 56        -33 19.8   RV Sgr = HD 169831    179
                                        = CoD -33d 13234
F            18 20 12        -32 13.4   BR Sgr = HDE 319724   179
K            18 11 36        -21  2.3   .....                 165
L            18 19  2        -28  6.5   V928 Sgr              174

 * Designation according to Campos and Sanchez (1987).

  Column 1 gives the identification letter for each variable, as designated
by Campos and Sanchez.
  Columns 2 and 3 give the equatorial coordinates, for 2000.0. They have been
checked against the data given by the GCVS.
  Column 4 gives the identification, when found. The official variable star
name is given, followed by HD and CoD numbers.
  Column 5 gives the chart number in Harvard Annals 112,(Cannon and Mayall,
1949), on which the variable star field may be found,
  Star K and its immediate vicinity presented an anomaly. Star K is faintly
visible at the limit of HDE chart 165, but is not a known or suspected variable.
Robert NcNaught, of Siding Spring Observatory, NSW, examined the field on one
UK Schmidt plate, and reported that a star 1' south-following star K (according
to the chart of Campos and Sanchez) is missing. This star, which I call K1, is
also missing from HDE chart 165, although the published chart suggests it is
one or two magnitudes brighter than K. I have measured the coordinates of
both objects, relative to SAO stars, to be as follows:

  Object K : (1950) : 18h 8m 36s6 -21d 4' 0" +/-4"
  Object K1: (1950) : 18  8  40.7 -21  4 34  +/-4"

  Object K1 may really be the variable intended, rather than K. It my be
a nova or other eruptive variable. This of course assumes that the image
corresponds to a real object, and is not a plate defect, error in plotting the
chart or other spurious cause. Both objects are shown in Fig. 1.


                            [FIGURE 1]


   Of the six variables considered here, five can be definitely identified
with previously named stars. The first four are all Mira variables, while the
final one ('L') is Nova Sgr 1947 = V928 Sgr. No identification could be made
of star 'K', Better coordinates are presented for all objects,
   I thank Robert H. NcNaught, UKESRU, Siding Observatory, Coonabarabran,
NSW, for kindly checking the UK Schmidt plate records.




                       M. MOREL

                       18 Elizabeth Cook Dr.
                       Rankin Park
                       N.S.W. 2287 Australia





References:

Campos, J. and Sanchez, A., 1987, Inf. Bull. Var. Stars, No. 3030.
Cannon, A. J. and Mayall, M. W., 1949, Harvard Coll. Obs. Annals, Vol. 112. [BIBCODE 1949AnHar.112....1C ]
Kukarkin, B. V. et al, 1970, General Catalogue of Variable Stars, 3rd ed.
   Nauka, Moscow.