COMMISSION 27 OF THE I.A.U.
                 INFORMATION BULLETIN ON VARIABLE STARS
                             Number 3255

                                                         Konkoly Observatory
                                                         Budapest
                                                         2 November 1988

                                                         HU ISSN 0374 - 0676


                  KX TrA = Cn 1-2 = PK 326 - 10d1

Feibelman (1988) recently drew attention to the symbiotic star KX TrA, which he
refrred to as Cn 1-2, noting its spectral similarity to some of the (very slow)
symbiotic novae such as V1016 Cyg and HM Sge. He also claimed that the finding
chart in Perek and Kohoutek (1967) is erroneous while that in my catalogue of
symbiotic stars (Allen 1984) is correct.
   Those planning to observe KX TrA should note that, in fact, the error occurs
in my catalogue and the correct identification is that given by Perek and
Kohoutek. Nonetheless, from his description of the ultraviolet spectrum, I
infer that Feibelman observed the symbiotic star. KX TrA is the SW of a pair
of stars of about 12th magnitude.
   Feibelman encouraged observations of KX TrA on the basis that it might be a
slow nova that had erupted prior to the first observation in 1921. Roughly 150
symbiotic stars are now known; about half of them broadly resemble KX TrA.
It has long been recognised that many of these may have undergone nova-like
eruptions before observations of them began. All deserve greater study.
   If a comparison with other symbiotic novae is made then it should perhaps be
with V1329 Cyg and AG Peg, since those systems involve a stable M giant and not
a Mira variable, in common with KX TrA and unlike the symbiotic novae Feibelman
mentioned.


                           DAVID ALLEN

                       Anglo-Australian Observatory
                           PO Box 296, Epping
                          NSW 2121, Australia.



References:

Allen, D.A., 1984, Proc. Astr. Soc. Australia, 5, 369. [BIBCODE 1984PASAu...5..369A ]
Feibelman, W.A., 1988, IBVS, 3231.
Perek, L. and Kohoutek, L., 1967, Catalogue of Galactic Planetary Nebulae,
   Academy of Sciences, Prague. [BIBCODE 1967cgpn.book.....P ]