630000AnnualReport1_p1

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ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA
THE  STANDING COMMITTEE FOR OBSERVATIONAL ACTIVITIES

COMET AND NOVA SECTION

FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
For 1963.

1. HISTORY
       The Comet and Nova Section was introduced to the members of the
Society on November 15, 1961 when "Bulletin No. 1 was issued.  At that
time, only the Montreal Centre had a programme for the systemmatic
search for new objects, but by the end of the year several other Centres
informed the National Coordinator of this section indicated interest
in this work.
       By the time "Bulletin #2" was issued on March 1, 1962, the National
Coordinator had received replies from ten of the sixteen Centres.
Members from Montrea, Niagara Falls, and Hamilton soon began reporting
searches, and these Centres are still active at the end of 1963.
       Bulletin #3 was issued on June 18, 1962 summarizing the work
done to date.  On March 19, 1963, Bulletin #4 was issued which introduced
a new programme (searching the dome with the naked eye), and summarized
the work done during 1962.
       The following announcements were mailed to all Centres:
Announcement #1.  December 1961.  Comet Seki.
Announcement #2.  March 1962.     Comet Seki-Lines, 1962-c.
Announcement #3.  March 23, 1962. Comet Seki-Lines, 1963-c (continued).
Announcement 4.   June 18, 1962.  Comet Humason, 1961-e.
Announcement #5.  Feb. 19, 1963.  Comet Ikeya, 1963-a.
Announcement #6.  Feb. 26, 1963.  Nova Herculis, 1963.
Announcement #7.  Apr. 7, 1963.   Comet Alcock, 1963-b.


2. SEARCHES FOR COMETS AND NOVAE

       During 1963, 2299 searches were made by 21 observers.  They
observed about 60 of the 400 areas visible from Canada.  During 1962,
1953 searches were made by 27 observers, so that although there were
fewer observers, the actual number of searches increased.  It was
discovered that many observers would be enthusiastic in starting this
programme, but wuold drop out after a few months.  However, those who
remain are active and reliable observers.  Most observers used binoculars
and checked stars in their 10° x 10° areas to approximately sixth magnitude.
 Several observers made naked eye searches of the dome.


3. OBSERVATIONS OF COMET AND NOVAE.
       Many reports were received on Comets Ikeya (1963a) and Alcock
(1963b), but many were only summaries or statements that it was seen.
Not enough information was received to analyse these comets.  The
National Coordinator understands that many more observations were made
but never reported.  Many members and Centres like to keep copies
of observations for their own records, and making copies is either time
consuming or expensive.  At the moment there seems to be no solution

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