| Year |
Discoveries* |
Amateur |
Visual |
| 2012 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
| 2011 |
45 |
5 |
0 |
| 2010 |
157 |
6 |
2 |
| 2009 |
227 |
6 |
0 |
| 2008 |
220 |
4 |
0 |
| 2007 |
223 |
3 |
0 |
| 2006 |
204 |
2 |
1 |
| 2005 |
221 |
2 |
0 |
| 2004 |
221 |
3 |
2 |
| 2003 |
193 |
1 |
0 |
| 2002 |
181 |
7 |
5 |
| 2001 |
147 |
1 |
1 |
| 2000 |
133 |
1 |
1 |
| 1999 |
134 |
6 |
3 |
| 1998 |
140 |
4 |
2 |
| 1997 |
103 |
4 |
3 |
| 1996 |
44 |
4 |
3 |
| 1995 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
| 1994 |
11 |
6 |
4 |
| 1993 |
10 |
1 |
0 |
| 1992 |
13 |
7 |
7 |
| 1991 |
22 |
6 |
4 |
| 1990 |
10 |
3 |
3 |
|
| Survey |
Official Comet Discoveries |
| SOHO |
1871 |
| LINEAR |
208 |
| Catalina Sky Survey |
95 |
| Siding Spring Survey |
83 |
| NEAT |
54 |
| SPACEWATCH |
52 |
| Mt. Lemmon Survey |
42 |
| LONEOS |
42 |
| STEREO |
37 |
| Credited Discoverer |
Comets |
| McNaught |
67 |
| Shoemaker |
32 |
| Pons |
26 |
| Hill |
23 |
| Levy |
22 |
| Boattini |
21 |
| Brooks |
21 |
| Gibbs |
20 |
| Christensen |
19 |
| Bradfield |
18 |
| Garradd |
17 |
| Skiff |
16 |
| Barnard |
16 |
| Mueller |
15 |
|
* w/out re-/pre-discoveries
News
2012 January 29
New comet discoveries:
- C/2012 A2 (LINEAR): Discovered on 2012 Jan. 15, as an apparently asteroidal object in the course of the
LINEAR survey and found to be cometary by follow-up observers. 17.5m, q=3.5 AU, T=2012 Nov. 4. 208th
comet for LINEAR, CBET 2977, MPEC 2012-B05
- P/2012 B1 (PANSTARRS): Discovered on 2012 Jan. 25, in the course of the PanSTARRs survey. Prediscovery images
from Konkoly Obs. of 2011 Dec. 31. 19m, q=3.8 AU, T=2013 Jul. 20, P=17 years, 11th comet for PanSTARRs,
CBET 2999, MPEC 2012-B66
-
P/2012 B2 (LINEAR): Recovery of P/2003 HT15 by T. Seki, S. Shimomoto and H. Sato on 2012
Jan. 26 and 27. 19m, T=2013 Mar. 17, P=10 years. CBET 3000, MPEC 2012-B95
-
P/2012 A3 (SOHO): Recovery of C/2003 T12 by A. Watson in STEREO images, link proposed and demonstrated by
R. Kracht. Missed at 2007 return. T=2012 Jan. 26, q=0.58 AU, P=4.12 years. CBET 3001, MPEC 2012-B96
2011 December 29
New comet discovery:
- C/2012 A1 (PANSTARRS): Discovered on 2012 Jan. 2, in the course of the PanSTARRs survey. 19m,
q=6.9 AU, T=2014 Mar. 11, 10th comet for PanSTARRs, CBET 2966, MPEC 2012-A35
2011 December 29
New comet discoveries:
- P/2011 Y2 (Boattini): Discovered on 2011 Dec. 24, in the course of the Mt. Lemmon survey. Prediscovery
images by PanSTARRs of Sep. 4, and by Mt. Lemmon of Oct, 16 and 30. 19.5m, q=1.8 AU, T=2012 Mar. 21, P=15.5 years.
CBET 2958, MPEC 2011-Y49
- P/2011 Y3 (Boattini): Discovered on 2011 Dec. 25, in the course of the Mt. Lemmon survey. 18.5m,
q=5.6 AU, T=2011 Dec. 2. CBET 2959, MPEC 2011-Y50
- C/2011 UF305 (LINEAR): Discovered on 2011 Oct. 31, in the course of the LINEAR survey. Prediscovery
images by PanSTARRs of Jul. 25. 18m, q=2.1 AU, T=2012 Jul. 22. CBET 2960, MPEC 2011-Y51
Recovery:
-
P/2006 T1 (Levy) has been recovered by A. Boattini (Mt. Lemmon survey) on 2011 Dec. 17. THe comet was discovered in outburst
in 2006 and was now about 9-10 magnitudes fainter than expected and +2.4 days from the prediction. P/2011 Y1 (Levy) will
have a close approach to Earth on 2012 January 26, at 0.2359 AU but it is unlikely to be a bright object unless it experiences
another outburst. 19m, q=1.0 AU, T=2012 Jan. 14, P=5.3 years. IAUC 9247, MPEC 2011-Y07
2011 December 02
New amateur comet discovery - Kreutz comet!:
- C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy): Discovered on 2011 Nov. 27, by Terry Lovejoy using a 0.2-m reflector and CCD in the course
of his routine comet searching from Thornlands, Australia. This is his third comet discovery. The comet is a member of the
Kreutz group but seems intrinsically faint. Thus a bright comet at perihelion or a survival of it seems questionable. The
comet will remain a southern hemisphere object close to the sun. At discovery it was at 13m, q=0.005 AU,
T=2011 Dec. 16. CBET 2931, MPEC 2011-X16
2011 November 30
Discovery of cometary features:
- P/2010 UH55 (Spacewatch): Discovered on 2010 Oct. 29, in the course of the Spacewatch survey. Cometary
features already noted in November 2010, now fully confirmed. q=2.76 AU, T=2011 May 10, P=16.63 years. CBET 2923, MPEC 2011-W82
2011 November 29
New amateur comet discovery:
- P/2011 W2 (Rinner): Discovered on 2011 Nov. 28, by Claudine Rinner using a 0.5-m reflector situated at
Oukaimeden Observatory, Morocco. 17m, q=2.3 AU, T=2011 Oct. 10, P=10.3 years. CBET 2922, MPEC 2011-W80
2011 November 28
New comet discovery:
- P/2011 W1 (PANSTARRS): Discovered on 2011 Nov. 26, by the Pan-STARRs survey. Prediscovery images by Spacewatch
of Nov. 23. 18m, q=3.3 AU, T=2012 Jun. 1, P=10.0 years. CBET 2919, MPEC 2011-W66
Discovery of cometary features:
- P/2006 VW139: Discovered on 2006 Nov. 15, by the Spacewatch survey. Precovery images dating back to
2000 Sep. Discovery of a coma and tail by Henry Hsieh, Larry Denneau, and Richard Wainscoat (Pan-STARRs). The orbit is
that of a main belt asteroid. q=2.44 AU, T=2011 Jul. 18, P=5.33 years. CBET 2920
2011 November 08
- M. Meyer identified comet P/2010 T1 (McNaught), in NEAT data of October and December 2001, and in a DSS plate
of October 5, 1980.
(MPEC 2011-V31)
- Further astrometry shows that comet P/2011 U2 (Bressi) is of short period. T=2012 Oct. 7, q=4.8 AU, P=12.4 years.
(MPEC 2011-V31)
2011 November 04
-
New comet discovery:
- P/2011 V1 (Boattini): Discovered on 2011 Nov. 1, by the Mt. Lemmon Survey. Prediscovery images by the same survey
of October 22. 19.5m, q=1.7 AU, T=2011 May 11, P=7.5 years. CBET 2893, MPEC 2011-V13
- S. Nakano identified minor planet 1998 RS22, a LINEAR discovery, and a one night triplet of Dec. 1, 2005,
by Spacewatch with comet P/2011 R2 (PANSTARRS). MPEC 2011-U02
2011 October 31
-
New comet discoveries:
- C/2011 U3 (PANSTARRS): Discovered on 2011 Oct. 24, by the Pan-STARRS Survey. 20.5m, q=1.1 AU,
T=2012 June 2.
- P/2011 UA134 (Spacewatch-PANSTARRS): Discovered on 2011 Oct. 24, by Spacewatch and on OCt. 25, by Pan-STARRS. 25,
q=2.1 AU, P=13 years, T=2011 December 4
CBETs 2878, 2879, MPECs 2011-U107, -U108
2011 October 28
-
New comet discoveries:
- P/2010 TO20 (LINEAR-Grauer): Discovered on 2010 Oct. 1, by LINEAR as an asteroid and accidentally
rediscovered by A. D. Grauer on 2011 Oct. 19, in the course of the Mt. Lemmon Survey. 19m, q=5.1, P=13.23 years,
T=2008 August 27. The comet approached Jupiter to 0.077 AU on 2009 Nov. 2.
- P/2011 U1 (PANSTARRS): Discovered on 2011 Oct. 23. 20.5, q=2.2 AU, P=8.8 years, T=2012 Jun. 29
- C/2011 U2 (Bressi): Discovered on 2011 Oct. 24, Spacewatch survey. 19m, q=2.5 AU, T=2012 Oct. 9, possibly
of short period
CBETs 2867, 2874, 2875, MPECs 2011-U41, -U84, -U85
2011 October 5
-
R. A. Kowalski reports the discovery of a new comet on September 30, 2011, in the course of the
Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page
numerous follow-up observers remarked on the cometary nature of the 15.5m object. The current orbit for
the still nameless comet C/2011 S2 is very indeterminate. The comet might be of short-period. Although the orbital
elements appear similar to that of P/2006 T1 (Levy) it has not been possible to produce a link of the two apparitions.
The current orbit indicates perihelion on Oct. 23, 2011, at about 1.1 AU.
(CBET 2822 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-T12)
2011 September 22
-
New Discovery!:
A. R. Gibbs reported his discovery of a new comet on Sep. 18, 2011, in the course of the
Mt. Lemmon Survey. After positng on the
NEO Confirmation Page P. Miller, P. Roche, A. Tripp, R. Miles, R. Holmes, L. Buzzi, and S. Foglia
("Faulkes Telescope North", Haleakala) and G. Sostero, N. Howes, and E. Guido (remotely from "Faulkes Telescope
South", Siding Spring) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 20.0m object. According to the
first and very preliminary orbit comet C/2011 S1 (Gibbs) will pass perihelion not before Jan. 16, 2013,
at about 5.0 AU. This is the 38th comet for the Mt. Lemmon Survey and the 20th for Gibbs.
(CBET 2822 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-S28)
2011 September 13
-
Comet namings:
P/2011 N1 (ASH)
P/2011 NO1 (Elenin)
P/2011 R3 (Novichonok-Gerke)
(IAUC 9227,
IAUC 9228,
IAUC 9232, subscription required,)
2011 September 10
-
New Discovery!:
The Russian amateur astronomer Artyom Novichonok reports the discovery of a new comet by Vladimir Gerke and himself on images
taken with a 40-cm Ritchey-Chretién reflector located at Ka-Dar observatory (near Nizhniy Arkhyz, Russia). After posting
on the NEO Confirmation Page N. Howes, G. Sostero, and E. Guido (remotely using Faulkes Telescope North at Haleakala), G. Hug
(Scranton), and T. H. Bressi (Spacewatch) were able to confirm the cometary nature. The first orbit for the 18.5m comet
P/2011 R3 (Novichonok) indicates perihelion already on Aug. 23, 2011, at about 3.6 AU. The period is about 10.7 years.
Due to an communication error the second discoverer, V. Gerke, was not credited, but this might change.
(CBET 2812 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-R36)
-
Additional astrometry shows comet 2011 Q3 to be of short period. The latest orbit for comet P/2011 Q3 (McNaught) shows
perihelion on Aug. 1, 2011, at about 2.3 AU. The period is about 11.8 years.
(MPEC 2011-R35)
2011 September 07
-
New Discovery!:
L. Denneau and R. Wainscoat report the discovery of a new comet on Sep. 4, 2011, in the course of the
PANSTARRS survey. After posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page numeorus CCD astrometrists were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 17.5m object.
The first orbit for comet P/2011 R2 (PANSTARRS) shows perihelion on Nov. 19, 2011, at about 2.0 AU. The period is about
6.2 years. This is the 5th comet discovery for Pan-STARRS.
(CBET 2811 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-R24)
2011 September 06
-
New Discovery!:
V. Bezugly (Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine) and R. D. Matson (Irvine, CA, USA) independently reported a possible comet in the SOHO/SWAN
spacecraft UV images.The object was seen as early as August 23, 2011. R. H. McNaught (Siding Spring) and M. Mattiazzo (Castlemaine),
notified of the possible comet, obtained confirmation images on September 4. First visual observations show the comet at about 10.5m.
According to the first and preliminary orbit comet C/2011 Q4 (SWAN) will pass perihelion on September 21, 2011, at about 1.1 AU.
This is the 1671st official comet for SOHO and the 10th discovered using the SWAN instrument.
(CBET 2809 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-R22)
-
New Discovery!:
R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on Sep. 3, 2011, in the course
of the Siding Spring Survey. After posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page P. Birtwhistle (Great Shefford) confirmed the cometary nature of the
16.5m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2011 R1 (McNaught)
shows perihelion on Nov. 13, 2011, at about 2.7 AU.
This is the 83rd comet for the Siding Spring Survey and the 67th for McNaught.
(CBET 2810 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-R20)
2011 August 27
-
New Discovery!:
Two new comets were discovered by R. H. McNaught as follows:
C/2011 Q2 (McNaught): discovered on August 26, 2011, 14.5m, T=2012-01-30, q=1.36 AU
C/2011 Q3 (McNaught): discovered on August 29, 2011, 18.5m, T=2012-02-04, q=1.61 AU, probably of short period
These are discoveries no. 65 and 66 for McNaught, and 81 and 82 for the Siding Spring Survey.
(CBET 2797 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-Q54,
CBET 2803 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-R01)
2011 August 27
-
New Discovery!:
R. Wainscoat, M. Micheli, H. Hsieh, and L. Denneau report the discovery of a new comet on Aug. 20, 2011,
in the course of the PANSTARRS survey. After posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page S. Abe and H. Y. Hsiao (Lulin Observatory), L. Buzzi (Varese), and R. Holmes, S. Foglia,
L. Buzzi, and T. Vorobjov (Ashmore) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 19m object. The first orbit
for comet C/2011 Q1 (PANSTARRS) shows perihelion on Oct. 25, 2011, at about 3.2 AU. This is the 4th comet
discovery for Pan-STARRS.
(CBET 2790 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-Q12)
2011 August 08
-
New Discovery!:
R. Wainscoat reports the discovery of a new comet on Aug. 3, 2011, in the course of the
PANSTARRS survey. After posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page T. Lister (Faulkes Telescope North), H. Sato (remotely from RAS
Observatory near Mayhill) and D. J. Tholen, M. Micheli and G. T. Elliott (Univ. of Hawaii) were able to
confirm the cometary nature of the 19m object. Additionally, prediscovery observations by
Spacewatch of June 22, 2011, were also found. The first orbit for comet C/2011 P2 (PANSTARRS)
shows perihelion already on Sep. 18, 2010, at about 6.2 AU. The period is about 30 years.
This is the 3rd comet discovery for Pan-STARRS.
(CBET 2782 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-P32)
-
The asteroidal WISE discovery of May 10, 2010, then designated 2010 JC81, has been found cometary
after emerging solar conjunction. G. V. Borisov and V. Rumyantsev (Crimean Observatory at Nauchny) reported their
findings in observations of Aug. 1, 3, and 5, 2011. A previously unconfirmed report of diffuseness Nov. 5, 2011, was
made by L. Buzzi, P. Concari, S. Foglia, G. Galli, and M. Tombelli (remotely Tzec Maun Observatory near Moorook).
Comet P/2010 JC81 (WISE) paased perihelion already on Apr. 26, 2011, at about 1.8 AU. This is the
18th comet for WISE.
(CBET 2780 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-P24)
-
Several observers worldwide have reported that comet 213P/van Ness has split.
MPEC 2011-P25)
2011 August 05
-
New Discovery!:
R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on Aug. 1, 2011, in the course
of the Siding Spring Survey. After posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page H. Sato (remotely from RAS Observatory near Mayhill), G. Masi,
U. Masi, and G. Luccone (Ceccano), and R. Holmes, S. Foglia and T. Vorobjov (Ashmore) were
able to confirm the cometary nature of the 18m object. The first and very preliminary
orbit for comet P/2011 P1 (McNaught) shows perihelion already on Mar. 24, 2009, at about 2.3 AU.
The period is about 6.3 years.
This is the 80th comet for the Siding Spring Survey and the 64th for McNaught.
(CBET 2779 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-P19)
2011 August 02
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on July 31, 2011, in the course of the
LINEAR survey has been found cometary
after placement on the NEO Confirmation Page by L. Buzzi (Varese), H. Sato (remotely from
RAS Observatory near Mayhill), and R. H. McNaught (Siding Spring). According to the first and preliminary
orbit the 16.5m comet C/2011 O1 (LINEAR) will pass perihelion on July 23, 2012, at 4.4 AU.
This is the 205th comet discovery for LINEAR.
(CBET 2775 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-P03)
2011 July 31
2011 July 20
-
Amateur astronomers L. Elenin (Lyubertsy) and I. Molotow (Moscow) report their discovery of a new comet on
Jul. 7, 2011, using a remotely controlled 0.45-m astrograph at the ISON-NM observatory near Mayhill (NM, USA).
After posting on the NEO Confirmation Page R. Holmes, S. Foglia, and T. Vorobjov (Ashmore), Foglia, P. Miller,
P. Roche, A. Tripp, R. Holmes, R. Miles, L. Buzzi (Faulkes Telescope North), L. Buzzi (Varese), N. Howes,
G. Sostero, and E. Guido (Faulkes Telescope South), and H. Sato (Nerpio) confirmed the cometary nature of the
19.5m object. While the object was prepared for announcement by the CBAT it was already announced
as asteroid 2011 NO1 by the MPC. The first orbit for the still nameless comet P/2011 NO1
indicates perihelion on already on Jan. 22, 2011, at about 1.2 AU. The period is about 13.1 years. This is Elenin's
second comet discovery.
(CBET 2768 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-O10)
2011 July 08
-
New Discovery!:
R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on Jul. 4, 2011, in the course
of the Siding Spring Survey. After posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page N. Howes, G. Sostero, and E. Guido (remotely from Faulkes Telescope South, Haleakala) were
able to confirm the cometary nature of the 18m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet
C/2011 N2 (McNaught) shows perihelion on Oct. 9, 2011, at about 2.7 AU. This is the 79th
comet for the Siding Spring Survey and the 63rd for McNaught.
(IAUC 9220, subscription required,
MPEC 2011-N31)
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object discovered by I. de la Cueva, J. L. Ortiz, P. Santos-Sanz,
and N. Morales at San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, on July 1, 2011, was identified by the
discoverers as a comet after posting on the NEO Confirmation Page. Further reports about
the cometary nature of the 18m object were received by R. Holmes, T. Linder, and
V. Hoette (Ashmore), and N. Howes, G. Sostero, and E. Guido (remotely from Faulkes Telescope South,
Haleakala). The first and preliminary orbit for comet P/2011 N1 shows perihelion on May 30, 2012, at about 2.9 AU.
The period is about 16 years.
(IAUC 9219, subscription required,
MPEC 2011-N29)
2011 June 29
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on June 22, 2011, in the course of the
LINEAR survey has been found cometary
after placement on the NEO Confirmation Page by G. Hug (Scranton), G. Sostero and E. Guido (remotely
from Tzec Maun Observatory (TMO) near Mayhill), P. Birtwhistle (Great Shefford), H. Sato (remotely
from RAS Observatory, Mayhill), E. Bryssinck (remotely from TMO), R. Ligustri (remotely from
RAS Observatory, Mayhill), and A. Novichonok (remotely from TMO). The comet is as bright as 13.5m,
quite large and diffuse. According to the first and preliminary orbit comet C/2011 M1 (LINEAR)
will pass perihelion on Sep. 7, 2011, at 0.9 AU. This is the 204th comet discovery for LINEAR.
(IAUC 9218 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-M37)
-
New permanent short periodic comet numberings:
252P/LINEAR = P/2011 L5 = P/2000 G1
(IAUC 9217 (subscription required)
2011 June 13
-
New Discovery!:
A. Boattini reported his discovery of a new comet on June 8, 2011, in the course of the
Mt. Lemmon Survey. The 20.5m comet
C/2011 L6 (Boattini) already passed perihelion on Jan. 21, 2011, at about 6.8 AU. This is the 37th comet
for the Mt. Lemmon Survey and the 18th for Boattini.
(CBET 2743 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-L42)
-
J. V. Scotti (LPL, Spacewatch) reports his recovery of comet P/2000 G1 on June 9 and 10, 2011. The 22.5m
comet P/2011 L5 (LINEAR) passed perihelion already on Nov. 13, 2010, at about 1.0 AU. The period is 5.34 years. The
correction to the prediction was delta-T = -0.24 days. The comet will approach Earth to about 0.036 AU at its next return in 2016.
(CBET 2742 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-L41)
2011 June 08
-
The PANSTARRS survey has discovered a new comet on June 6, 2011. Prediscovery observations obtained in the
course of the Mt. Lemmon Survey on May 24, 2011, were also identified. The first orbit for the 18.5m
comet C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) shows perihelion at about 0.36 AU on Apr. 17, 2017. Although quite uncertain
to predict, the comet might become a bright object unfortunately badly placed around time of maximum brightness.
This is the second comet discovery for PANSTARRS.
(IAUC 9215 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-L33,)
2011 June 07
-
R. H. McNaught reported the discovery of three new comets on June 2 and 3, 2011, in the course of the Siding
Spring Survey as shown below. All have been
confirmed by follow-up observers after posting on the NEO Confirmation Page.
C/2011 L1 (McNaught), 16.5m, T=2011-Jan-01, q=2.4 AU
C/2011 L2 (McNaught), 18m, T=2011-Oct-31, q=2.0 AU
C/2011 L3 (McNaught), 16m, T=2011-Aug-10, q=1.9 AU
This is the 62nd comet discovery for McNaught and the 78th for the Siding Spring Survey.
(IAUC 9212 (subscription required),
IAUC 9213 (subscription required),
IAUC 9214 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-L26,
MPEC 2011-L27,
MPEC 2011-L28,)
2011 June 02
-
New Discovery!:
A. Boattini reported his discovery of a new comet on May 28, 2011, in the course of the
Mt. Lemmon Survey. After posting on the NEOCP the
object was identified with an asteroidal object, observed by Spacewatch on May 8 and 12, and then designated as
2011 JB15. Further reports concerning the cometary nature of the object were received by S. Foglia, S. Baroni,
L. Buzzi, P. Concari, G. Galli, and M. Tombelli (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory), H. Sato (remotely from
RAS Observatory, Mayhill), G. Masi, U. Masi, and G. Luccone (Ceccano), L. Buzzi (Varese), E. Guido and G. Sostero
(remotely from GRAS Observatory near Mayhill), R. Holmes (Ashmore), R. Ligustri (Udine), P. Birtwhistle (Great Shefford)
and W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory). The 18.5m comet P/2011 JB15 (Spacewatch-Boattini)
will pass perihelion on Jan. 18, 2012, at about 5.0 AU. This is the 36th comet for the Mt. Lemmon Survey and the
17th for Boattini.
(IAUC 9210 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-K56)
-
Paulo R. Holvorcem (Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil) and Michael Schwartz (Patagonia, AZ, USA) report their discovery of a new comet
using the Tenagra III astrograph on May 26, 2011. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan
(Magdalena Ridge Observatory), L. Buzzi (Varese), and R. Holmes, T. Vorobjov, and S. Foglia (Ashmore) confirmed the cometary nature
of the 18.5m object. The first orbit for comet C/2011 K1 (Schwartz-Holvorcem) shows perihelion on Apr. 19, 2011,
at about 3.4 AU. This is the 3rd comet discovery for Holvorcem.
(IAUC 9211 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-L04)
2011 May 21
-
Comet C/2011 H1 has been identified with comet C/2002 VQ94 (LINEAR) by Hidetaka Sato (Tokyo, Japan).
The name for C/2011 H1 is thus being deleted.
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on May 14, 2011, in the course of the
LINEAR survey has been found cometary
after placement on the NEO Confirmation Page by W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory), G. Hug
(Scranton), H. Sato (remotely from RAS Observatory near Mayhill), G. Sostero and E. Guido
(remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory (also near Mayhill)), L. Elenin (remotely from ISON-NM
Observatory near Mayhill), L. Buzzi (Varese), and E. Bryssinck (remotely from Tzec Maun).
According to the first and preliminary orbit the 19m comet C/2011 J3 (LINEAR)
already passed perihelion on Jan. 21, 2011, at 1.4 AU. This is the 203rd comet discovery for LINEAR.
(IAUC 9209 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-K11)
-
New permanent short periodic comet numberings:
251P/LINEAR = P/2011 J1 = P/2004 HC18
(MPC 74774)
2011 May 8
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on May 5, 2011, in the course of the
LINEAR survey has been found cometary
after placement on the NEO Confirmation Page by J. Lacruz (La Canada), H. Sato (remotely
from RAS Observatory near Nerpio, and from RAS Observatory near Mayhill), R. Holmes, T. Linder,
V. Hoette (Cerro Tololo), J. V. Scotti (Spacewatch), and W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge
Observatory). Additionally, prediscovery images of Mar. 10, and 25, by Catalina were identified by
the MPC. According to the first published orbit the 18.5m comet C/2011 J2 (LINEAR)
will pass perihelion not before Dec. 23, 2013, at 3.4 AU. This is the 203rd comet discovery for LINEAR.
(CBET 2714 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-J31)
-
New Discovery!:
A. R. Gibbs (LPL) reported his discovery of an apparently asteroidal object with unusual motion on
Apr. 26, 2011, in the course of the Mt. Lemmon Survey.
After identification with Apr. 14, data from Spacewatch, where the object appeared also asteroidal, the object was
announced as 2011 GK71, despite some reports noting a possible diffuseness. After posting on the NEO Confirmation
Page G. Sostero and E. Guido (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory near Moorook), and R. S. McMillan, J. V. Scotti, and
M. L. Terenzoni (Steward Observatory) reported a cometary appearance of the 19m object. Prediscovery images
from Mt. Lemmon of Mar. 29, 2011, were also found by Gibbs. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2011 H1 (Lemmon)
indicates perihelion already on Jan. 31, 2006, at about 6.9 AU. This is the 36th comet for the Mt. Lemmon Survey.
(IAUC 9206 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-J24)
-
J. V. Scotti (LPL, Spacewatch) reports his recovery of comet P/2004 HC18 (LINEAR) on May 1, 2, and 5, 2011. The
comet was about magnitude 21.5m. The correction to the prediction in the ICQ 2010/2011 Comet Handbook is Delta(T)
= -0.10 day. Comet P/2011 J1 passed perihelion already on Dec. 29, 2010, at about 1.71 AU. The period is 6.52 years.
(IAUC 9207 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-J26)
2011 April 24
-
New Discovery!:
R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on Apr. 5, 2011, in the course
of the Siding Spring Survey. After posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page R. Holmes, T. Linder, and V. Hoette (Cerro Tololo), G. Sostero and
E. Guido (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory, near Moorook), S. Foglia, P. Miller, P. Roche,
A. Tripp, R. Miles, R. Holmes, and L. Buzzi ('Faulkes Telescope North', Haleakala), H. Sato
(remotely from RAS Observatory near Officer), and R. Ligustri (remotely from RAS Observatory near Officer)
confirmed the cometary nature of the 17.5m object. The latest orbit for comet C/2011 G1 (McNaught)
shows perihelion on Sep. 16, 2011, at about 2.2 AU. This is the 75thd comet for the Siding Spring Survey
and the 59th for McNaught.
(IAUC 9204, subscription required,
MPEC 2011-G49)
-
New permanent short periodic comet numberings:
250P/Larson = P/2011 A1
(MPC 74331)
2011 March 22
2011 February 16
-
New Discovery!:
A. R. Gibbs (LPL) reports his discovery of a new comet on Feb. 12, 2011, in the course of the
Mt. Lemmon Survey. After posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page K. Sarneczky (Konkoly Observatory, Piszkesteto, Hungary), J. V. Scotti
(Spacewatch), and S. Foglia, T. Vorobjov, and R. Holmes (Ashmore, IL, U.S.A.) confirmed the cometary
nature of the 19.5m object. Predicovery images from Mt. Lemmon of Jan. 30, 2011, were also
found. The first and preliminary orbit for comet P/2011 C2 (Gibbs) indicates perihelion on Jan. 16,
2012, at about 5.4 AU. The period is about 20 years. This is the 34th comet for the Mt. Lemmon
Survey and the 18th for Gibbs.
(IAUC 9199 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-C97)
-
New Discovery!:
A. R. Gibbs (LPL) reports another discovery of a new comet on Feb. 12, 2011, in the course of the
Mt. Lemmon Survey. The first and preliminary
orbit for comet C/2011 C3 (Gibbs) indicates perihelion on Apr. 8, 2011, at about 1.5 AU.
This is the 35th comet for the Mt. Lemmon Survey and the 19th for Gibbs.
(IAUC 9200 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-D01)
-
New permanent short periodic comet numberings:
247P/LINEAR = P/2002 VP94 = P/2010 V3
248P/Gibbs = P/2010 W1 = 1996 TT65
(IAUC 9195 (subscription required))
2011 February 13
-
New Discovery!:
R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on Feb. 10, 2011, in the course
of the Siding Spring Survey. After posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page H. Sato (remotely from RAS Observatory, Nerpio, Spain), S. Foglia,
S. Baroni, L. Buzzi, P. Concari, G. Galli, and M. Tombelli (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory, Cloudcroft, NM, U.S.A),
A. Novichonok,T. Kryachko and S. Korotkiy (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory), G. Hug (Scranton, KS, U.S.A.),
W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory), E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from Global Rent-a-Scope Network near Mayhill, NM, U.S.A.),
A. R. Gibbs (Mt. Lemmon), L. Buzzi (Varese, Italy), R. Ligustri (remotely from RAS Observatory near Mayhill),
J. E. McGaha (Tucson, AZ), K. Kadota (Ageo, Japan), and A. Asami and K. Nishiyama (Bisei Spaceguard Center) confirmed the
cometary nature of the 14.5m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2011 C1 (McNaught) shows perihelion
on Apr. 17, 2011, at about 0.9 AU. This is the 74th comet for the Siding Spring Survey and the 58th for McNaught.
The comet might reach 12m.
(IAUC 9197, subscription required,
IAUC 9198, subscription required,
MPEC 2011-C79)
2011 January 18
-
New Discovery!:
A. R. Gibbs (LPL) reports his discovery of a new comet on Jan. 15, 2011, in the course of the
Catalina Sky Survey.
L. Buzzi (Varese), H. Sato (remotely from Nerpio), S. Baroni, L. Buzzi, P. Concari,
G. Galli, M. Tombelli, and S. Foglia (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory), R. Ligustri (remotely
from RAS Observatory near Mayhill), E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from RAS Observatory near
Mayhill), and Sostero (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory) were then able to confirm the cometary
nature of the 17.5m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet P/2011 A3 (Gibbs)
indicates perihelion on Oct. 4, 2011, at about 1.1 AU. The comet might be of short period.
This is the 95th comet for the Catalina Sky Survey and the 17th for Gibbs.
(IAUC 9193 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-B07)
-
L. Elenin (Lyubertsy, Russia) reports his recovery of comet P/2006 U1 on Jan. 14, and 15, 2011, remotely
from ISON-NM Observatory near Mayhill. The correction to the prediction for the 19m comet is +0.24 day.
Comet P/2011 A4 (LINEAR) will pass perihelion on Apr. 16, 2011, at about 0.51 AU.
(IAUC 9194 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-B08)
2011 January 16
-
New Discovery!:
J. V. Scotti reports his discovery of a new comet on January 11, 2011, in the course of the
Spacewatch survey. Scotti and T. H. Bressi then confirmed the
cometary appearance with Kitt Peak observations. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page A. Knöfel,
D. Koschny, M. Busch, and P. Ruiz (ESA Optical Ground Station, Tenerife), H. Sato (Nerpio), G. Hug (Scranton), and
W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge) were also able to confirm the cometary nature of the 19.5m comet. The first
and preliminary orbit for comet C/2011 A2 (Scotti) indicates perihelion on Jan. 01, 2011, at about 1.8 AU.
The comet might be of short period. This is the 48th comet for Spacewatch and the 8th for Scotti.
(IAUC 9192 (subscription required),
MPEC 2011-A65)
-
New permanent short periodic comet numberings:
246P/NEAT = P/2010 V2 = P/2004 F3
(IAUC 9192 (subscription required))
2011 January 12
-
New Discovery!:
S. M. Larson (LPL) reports his discovery of a new comet on Jan. 10, 2011, in the course of the
Catalina Sky Survey.
R. A. Kowalski (Mt. Lemmon) confirmed the cometary nature, and after posting on the NEO Confirmation
Page W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory) also confirmed this object as cometary. T. Spahr (MPC) also
identified Catalina observations of Dec. 11, 2010. The first orbit for comet P/2011 A1 (Larson) indicates
perihelion already on Nov. 15, 2010, at about 2.2 AU. The period is about 7.3 years. This is the 94th comet
for the Catalina Sky Survey and the 5th for Larson.
(IAUC 9191, subscription required,
MPEC 2011-A46)
-
S. Nakano (Sumoto, Japan) identified the minor planet detection 2010 PB57 with comet P/2010 WK (LINEAR).
(Nakano Note 2028)
2010 December 29
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Nov. 5, 2002, in the course of the
LINEAR survey and then designated
2002 VP94 and recovered also by LINEAR on Nov. 15, 2010, has been found cometary
R. Behrend (Geneva Observatory and "T3 Project"), J. Strajnic (Academie d'Aix-Marseille) and
T. Kmieckowiak and twelve students ("Le Ciel comme Labo" Project, France) on Dec. 10, 2010,
with the 0.8-m reflector at Haute-Provence Observatory. Confirming observations were then received by
H. Sato (remotely from RAS Observatory, near Mayhill), K. Kadota (Ageo), and L. Buzzi (Varese). The 17m comet
P/2010 V3 = P/2002 VP94 (LINEAR) will pass perihelion on Jan. 04, 2011, at 1.48 AU.
The period is 7.89 years. This is the 200th comet discovery for LINEAR.
(IAUC 9190, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-Y29)
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Nov. 17, 2010, in the course of the
LINEAR survey and then designated
2010 WK has been found cometary by H. Sato (remotely from RAS Observatory near Mayhill),
K. Kadota (Ageo), E. Prosperi (Castelmartini), L. Buzzi (Varese), and S. Foglia, S. Baroni, L. Buzzi,
P. Concari, G. Galli, M. Tombelli (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory near Cloudcroft). The orbit for the
16m comet P/2010 WK (LINEAR) shows perihelion already on Oct. 19, 2010, at about 1.8 AU.
The period is about 13.8 years. This is the 201st comet discovery for LINEAR.
(CBET 2607 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-Y30)
2010 December 13
-
New Discovery!:
A. R. Gibbs (LPL) reports his discovery of a new comet on Nov. 27, 2010, in the course of the
Catalina Sky Survey.
T. Spahr (MPC) then identified this object with the following apparently asteroidal detections:
1996 TT65, 2010 MS75, 2010 RR59, 2010 RN141, 2010 SQ31, and 2010 TL69.
The first orbit for comet P/2010 W1 (Gibbs) indicates perihelion on Feb. 8, 2011, at about 2.1 AU.
The period is about 14.6 years. This is the 93rd comet for the Catalina Sky Survey and the
16th for Gibbs.
(CBET 2585 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-X102)
-
Amateur astronomer Leonid Elenin (Lyubertsy, Russia) reports his discovery of a new comet on
Dec. 10, 2010, using a remotely controlled 0.45-m astrograph at the ISON-NM observatory near Mayhill (NM, USA).
After posting on the NEO Confirmation Page A. Sergeyev and A. Novichonok (Majdanak Observatory), W. H. Ryan
(Magdalena Ridge), R. S. McMillan, J. V. Scotti, and M. L. Terenzoni (Steward Observatory), and H. Sato (remotely
from RAS Observatory near Mayhill) confirmed the cometary nature of the 19m object. The first and
very preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 X1 (Elenin) indicates perihelion on Apr. 1, 2010, at about 5.2 AU.
The comet is probably of short period.
(CBET 2584 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-X101)
2010 November 25
-
R. S. McMillan (University of Arizona) reports that the aseroidal but retrograde moving WISE discovery of
May 16, 2010, designated 2010 KW7 has been found slightly diffuse in images taken
with the Steward Observatory 0.9-m reflector on Oct. 18, 2010. J. V. Scotti also reported a coma
on images taken on the same day using the 2.3-m Bok telescope at Kitt Peak. Later observations by Scotti,
T. H. Bressi, M. L. Terenzoni, J. M. Bauer and J. D. Goguen, and T. Grav and M. Huber also confirm the
cometary nature of this object. Comet C/2010 KW7 (WISE) paased perihelion on Oct. 11, 2010,
at about 2.6 AU. This is the 17th comet for WISE.
(IAUC 9187 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-W20)
-
Further astrometry confirms the suspicion that comet 2010 V1 is of short period. Comet P/2010 V1 (Ikeya-Murakami)
passed perihelion on Oct. 11, 2010, at about 1.6 AU. The period is about 5 years. Maik Meyer notes a similarity
to the elements of comet P/2010 B2 (WISE).
MPEC 2010-W29)
2010 November 18
-
It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of Brian G. Marsden, one of the greatest astronomers. Brian was the person who has
inspired all my astronomical career and helped me so many times with his helpful, patient and friendly answers to all my questions. Without
him I would not have achieved what I have. Brian was always helpful to amateurs and listened and gave advice. I am proud to be a "groupie" as
he once described Rainer Kracht, himself and me in regard to our comet groups. I will really miss him...
The obituary by Gareth Williams.
2010 November 11
2010 November 5
-
New Discovery!:
A. Boattini reports his discovery of a new comet on Oct. 31, 2010, in the course of the
Mt. Lemmon Survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge), L. Elenin (remotely from ISON-NM Observatory near Mayhill),
S. Foglia, P. Miller, P. Roche, and A. Tripp(Faulkes Telescope North at Haleakala), A. Novichonok and V. Gerke
(remotely from Ka-Dar Observatory, TAU Station, Nizhniy Arkhyz), E. Romas and Novichonok (Kislovodsk Mountain
Station, Pulkovo Observatory), J. E. McGaha (Tucson), E. Guido, N. Howes, and G. Sostero (remotely from Faulkes
Telescope South), S. Foglia, T. Vorobjov, and R. Holmes, Ashmore), and G. Hug (Scranton) confirmed the cometary
nature of the 19m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 U3 (Boattini) indicates
perihelion already on Oct. 17, 2016, at about 11.5 AU. This is the 33rd comet for the Mt. Lemmon Survey
and the 16th for Boattini.
(CBET 2535 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-V55)
-
Comet P/2004 F3 has been recovered by E. Romas (Rostov-na-Donu, Russia), A. Novichonok (Kondopoga, Russia), and
D. Chestnov (Saransk, Russia) using the 0.5-m reflector at the Kislovodsk Mountain Astronomical Station of Pulkovo Observatory,
and independently by G. Hug (Scranton, KS, U.S.A.). The correction to the prediction on MPC 69908 is Delta(T) = -0.02 day.
Comet P/2010 V2 (NEAT) is about 20m and will pass perihelion on Jan. 28, 2013, at about 2.9 AU.
(IAUC 9176 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-V47)
2010 November 4
-
New Discovery!:
Kaoru Ikeya (Mori-machi, Shuchi-gun, Shizuoka-ken) and Shigeki Murakami (Tohkamachi, Niigata-ken) have
independently discovered a comet visually using 25-cm and 46-cm reflectors, respectively, on Nov. 2, and 3.
Comet C/2010 V1 (Ikeya-Murakami) is about 8m and is positioned at small solar elongation in the morning sky.
The first and very preliminary orbit shows perihelion already on Oct. 18, 2010, at about 1.7 AU. First follow-up observations
show a strongly condensed comet at about magnitude 7-8. The comet will slowly increase its elongation and lose brightness.
It may be of short-period and caught in outburst.
This is the 7th visual comet discovery for Ikeya and the 2nd for Murakami.
(IAUC 9175 (subscription required),
IAUC 9176 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-V46)
2010 October 19
-
-
New Discovery!:
A. Boattini reports his discovery of a new comet on Oct. 17, 2010, in the course of the
Mt. Lemmon Survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page R. S. McMillan (Spacewatch) was able to confirm the cometary
nature of the 18.5m object. Additionally prediscovery images of Oct. 1, 2010, by the La Sagra Sky Survey
were found. The first orbit for comet P/2010 U1 (Boattini) indicates perihelion already on May 15, 2010, at
about 4.9 AU. The period is about 17.2 years. This is the 32nd comet discovery for the Mt. Lemmon Survey
and the 15th for Boattini.
(IAUC 9174, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-U18)
-
New Discovery!:
R. E. Hill reports his discovery of a new comet on Oct. 17, 2010, in the course of the
Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page H. Sato, E. Guido, G. Sostero, V. Gonano, L. Donato, L. Buzzi and S. Foglia, P. Miller, P. Roche,
A. Tripp, and S. Foglia R. Ligustri confirmed the cometary nature of the 18m object. Additional prediscovery
observations of Oct. 1, 2010 (by the La Sagra Sky Survey) and of Oct. 9, 2010 (by Catalina) were also identified. The first
orbit comet P/2010 U2 (Hill) indicates perihelion on Nov. 9, 2010, at about 2.6 AU. The period is about 8.9 years.
This is the 92nd comet for the Catalina Sky Survey and the 23rd for Hill.
(IAUC 9174 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-U19)
2010 October 17
-
R. Wainscoat reports the discovery of a new comet on Oct. 6, and 7, 2010, in the course of the
PANSTARRS survey. After posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page J. V. Scotti, M. Terenzoni, and A. J. Mendez were able to confirm
the cometary nature of the 19.5m object. The first orbit for comet P/2010 T2 (PANSTARRS)
shows perihelion on Jul. 29, 2011, at about 3.7 AU. The period is about 13.2 years.
(IAUC 9173, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-U07)
2010 October 08
-
New Discovery!:
R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on Oct. 04, 2010, in the course
of the Siding Spring Survey. After posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page G. Sostero, E. Guido, L. Donato, V. Gonano (remotely from
Tzec Maun Observatory, near Moorook, Australia), S. Foglia, L. Buzzi, P. Concari, G. Galli,
M. Tombelli (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory), and H. Sato (remotely from RAS Observatory,
near Moorook) confirmed the cometary nature of the 18.5m object. B. G. Marsden identified
an one night detection also from Siding Spring of Sep. 11, 2010, which McNaught re-inspected and
also noted a diffuse appearance. The first orbit for comet P/2010 T1 (McNaught) shows perihelion
on Nov. 24, 2010, at about 3.2 AU. The period is about 10.2 years. This is the 73rd comet for
the Siding Spring Survey and the 57th for McNaught.
(IAUC 9172, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-T27)
-
New permanent short periodic comet numberings:
245P/WISE = P/2010 L1 = P/2002 Q16
(IAUC 9171 (subscription required))
-
Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):
Designation Group Discoverer Notes
C/2000 P4 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2000 P5 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2000 S8 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2000 S9 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2001 A5 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2001 O3 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2001 R10 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2008 P7 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2010 H7 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2010 H8 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2010 H9 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2010 H10 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2010 H11 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2010 J6 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2010 J7 Kreutz M. Kubczak
C/2010 J8 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2010 J9 Kreutz R. Kracht
C/2010 J10 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2010 J11 Kreutz M. Reszelewski
C/2010 J12 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2010 J13 Kreutz K. Nakonechny
C/2010 J14 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2010 J15 Kreutz J. Ruan, M. Kusiak
C/2010 J16 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2010 K3 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2010 K4 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2010 K5 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2010 K6 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2010 K7 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2010 K8 Kreutz M. Kusiak
Official SOHO comets: 1850
(MPEC 2010-T37,
MPEC 2010-T38,
MPEC 2010-T47,
MPEC 2010-T48,
MPEC 2010-T49,
MPEC 2010-T50)
2010 September 25
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Sep. 21, 2010, in the course of the
LINEAR survey has been found cometary after
placement on the NEO Confirmation Page by D. Mayes (Table Mountain Observatory, USA), W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory, USA),
and E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from GRAS Observatory near Mayhill, USA). The preliminary orbit for the 17.5m comet
C/2010 S1 (LINEAR) shows perihelion on May 09, 2013, at about 4.4 AU. This is the 199th
comet discovery for LINEAR.
(IAUC 9170, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-S41)
2010 September 18
-
New Discovery!:
J. Nomen reports that an object, discovered in the course of the La Sagra Sky Survey
on Sep. 14, 2010, showed some diffuse appearance, which was later confirmed on Sep. 16. Prediscovery images by La Sagra of Aug. 13,
did not show that diffuseness so clearly. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page P. Birtwhistle (Great Shefford, England),
R. Holmes and S. Foglia (Westfield, Illinois) and J. V. Scotti (Spacewatch, USA) confirmed the cometary nature of the 17.5m
object. Comet P/2010 R2 (La Sagra) passed perihelion already on June 25, 2010, at about 2.6 AU. The period is about 5.5 years.
It seems that this object is one of the so called 'main belt comets'. This is the 4th discovery for the amateur survey
La Sagra.
(CBET 2459 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-S11)
-
Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):
Designation Group Discoverer Notes
C/2010 B6 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2010 B7 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2010 B8 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2010 B9 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2010 B10 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2010 B11 Kreutz R. Matson
C/2010 B12 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2010 B13 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2010 C3 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2010 C4 Kreutz H. Tan
C/2010 C5 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2010 C6 --- Z. Xu
C/2010 C7 --- M. Kusiak related to C/2010 C8
C/2010 C8 --- M. Uchina related to C/2010 C7
C/2010 D5 --- M. Uchina
C/2010 D6 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2010 D7 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2010 D8 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2010 E7 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2010 E8 Kreutz B. Wang
C/2010 E9 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2010 E10 Kreutz H. Su
C/2010 E11 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2010 E12 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2010 E13 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2010 F5 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2010 F6 Kreutz K. Nakonechny
C/2010 F7 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2010 F8 Meyer M. Kusiak 106th member of the Meyer group
C/2010 F9 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2010 F10 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2010 F11 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2010 G4 Kreutz H. Su
C/2010 G5 Meyer M. Kusiak 107th member of the Meyer group
C/2010 G6 Kreutz M. Kusiak, M. Uchina
C/2010 H6 Kreutz J. Ruan
Official SOHO comets: 1820
(MPEC 2010-R77,
MPEC 2010-R84,
MPEC 2010-R86,
MPEC 2010-R93,
MPEC 2010-R102,
MPEC 2010-R108,
MPEC 2010-R112)
-
Further STEREO comets (all named STEREO):
Designation Group Discoverer Notes
C/2010 A18 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2010 A19 Kreutz J. Ruan, A. Watson
C/2010 A20 Kreutz J. Ruan, A. Watson
C/2010 A21 Kreutz A. Watson
C/2010 A22 Kreutz A. Watson
C/2010 A23 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2010 B3 Kreutz A. Watson
C/2010 B4 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2010 B5 Kreutz A. Watson
Official STEREO comets: 37
(MPEC 2010-R74,
MPEC 2010-R75)
2010 September 07
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Sep. 04, 2010, in the course of the
LINEAR survey has been found cometary after
placement on the NEO Confirmation Page by W. H. and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory). The preliminary orbit
for the 18m comet C/2010 R1 (LINEAR) shows perihelion on Jul. 20, 2012, at about 4.3 AU. This is the 198th
comet discovery for LINEAR.
(IAUC 9166, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-R58)
2010 August 18
-
Recovery!:
P/2000 Y3 (Scotti) = P/2010 Q1 (J. V. Scotti, Spacewatch, Aug. 19 and 20, 2010. 21mag)
Prerecovery images of Sep. 18, 2009, by T. Bressi, Spacewatch.
T=2010-01-20, P=10.84 yr, delta-T=-0.46 day.
(IAUC 9163, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-Q19)
-
New permanent short periodic comet numberings:
238P/Read = P/2010 N2 = P/2005 U1
239P/LINEAR = P/2010 C2 = P/1999 XB69
240P/NEAT = P/2010 P1 = P/2002 X2
241P/LINEAR = P/2010 P2 = P/1999 U3
242P/Spahr = P/2010 P3 = P/1998 U4
243P/NEAT = P/2010 P5 = P/2003 S2
244P/Scotti = P/2010 Q1 = P/2000 Y3
(IAUC 9164 (subscription required))
-
R. Matson has identified images of comet P/2002 Q16 (WISE) in images taken in the course of the
NEAT survey on Aug. 27, Sep. 4, 11, and 12, 2002. The comet thus received the designation 2002 Q16.
(MPEC 2010-R23)
-
Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):
Designation Group Discoverer Notes
C/2010 A6 Kreutz J. Ruan First seen by STEREO
C/2010 A7 Kreutz B. Zhou First seen by STEREO
C/2010 A8 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2010 A9 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2010 A10 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2010 A11 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2010 A12 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2010 A14 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2010 A15 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2010 A16 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2010 A17 Meyer A. Kubczak 105th member of the Meyer group
Official SOHO comets: 1784
(MPEC 2010-Q35,
MPEC 2010-Q36)
-
Further STEREO comets (all named STEREO):
Designation Group Discoverer Notes
C/2010 A13 Kreutz A. Watson
Official STEREO comets: 28
(MPEC 2010-Q36)
2010 August 18
-
Recovery!:
Independent recoveries of comet P/2002 X2 were reported by H. Taylor (Rayle, GA, U.S.A.),
H. Sato (Tokyo, Japan; remotely from RAS Observatory, Mayhill, NM, U.S.A.), L. Elenin (Lyubertsy,
Russia; remotely from ISON-NM Observatory, Mayhill), and by T. Yusa (telescope data same as for Sato)
on Aug. 9 - 11, 2010. Comet P/2010 P1 (NEAT) will pass perihelion on Oct. 4, 2010, at about 2.1 AU.
The period is about 7.6 years. The correction to the prediction is Delta-T = -0.63 day.
(IAUC 9159, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-P51)
-
Recovery!:
H. Sato (Tokyo, Japan; remotely from RAS Observatory, Mayhill, NM, U.S.A.) reports his recovery of comet
P/1999 U3 on Aug. 12, and 13, 2010. Comet P/2010 P2 (LINEAR) passed perihelion on July 18, 2010,
at about 1.9 AU. The period is about 11.0 years. The correction to the prediction is Delta-T = -0.22 day.
(IAUC 9160, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-P57)
-
Recovery!:
G. Hug (Scranton, KS, U.S.A.) reports his recovery of comet P/1998 U4 on Aug. 14, and 16, 2010.
Comet P/2010 P3 (Spahr) will pass perihelion on Apr. 3, 2012, at about 4.0 AU. The period is about
13.0 years. The correction to the prediction is Delta-T = +0.04 day.
(IAUC 9161, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-Q05)
-
New Discovery!:
A. Maintzer (JPL) reports the discovery of a new comet on Aug. 06, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission. After posting on the NEO Confirmation
Page ground-based observers were not able to detect the cometary features seen by WISE. The orbit for comet
P/2010 P4 (WISE) indicates perihelion on July 6, 2010, at about 1.9 AU. The period is about 7.5 years.
This is the 16th comet for WISE.
(IAUC 9161 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-Q06)
-
Recovery!:
E. Guido and G. Sostero (Castellammare di Stabia, Italy, remotely from RAS Observatory near Mayhill, NM, U.S.A.)
report their recovery of comet P/2003 S2 on Aug. 15, and 17, 2010. Comet P/2010 P5 (NEAT) will
pass perihelion on Mar. 3, 2011, at about 2.5 AU. The period is about 7.5 years. The correction to the prediction
is Delta-T = -0.33 day.
(IAUC 9162, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-Q08)
2010 August 06
-
Recovery!:
J. Pittichova (Univ. of Hawaii) reports her recovery of comet P/2005 U1 on July 7, and 20, 2010. Comet
P/2010 N2 (Read) will pass perihelion on Mar. 10, 2011, at about 2.4 AU. The period is about 5.6 years. The
correction to the prediction is Delta-T = -0.2 day.
(IAUC 9158, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-O44)
-
Recovery!:
G. V. Williams (MPC) has identified comet 1999 XB69 in data obtained in the course of the
WISE mission of Feb. 01, and 02, 2010. Subsequently he was able
to identify a single night observation from the Mt. Lemmon survey of Oct. 31, 2008. Comet P/2010 C2 (LINEAR)
passed perihelion on July 25, 2009, at about 1.7 AU. The period is about 9.5 years. The
correction to the prediction is Delta-T = -0.34 day.
(CBET 2400 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-P21)
-
New permanent short periodic comet numberings:
237P/LINEAR = P/2010 L2 = P/2002 LN13
(IAUC 9158 (subscription required))
-
2010 Edgar Wilson Award:
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory announces that the 2010 Edgar Wilson Award for the discovery of comets (cf. IAUCs
6936, 8962, 9066) is being divided among the following four individuals for three different comets: Rui Yang (Hangzhou,
Zhejiang, China) and Xing Gao (Urumqi, Xinjiang province, China) for P/2009 L2 (cf. IAUC 9052); Don Machholz
(Colfax, CA, U.S.A.) for C/2010 F4 (cf. IAUC 9132); and Jan Vales (Idrija, Slovenia) for P/2010 H2 (cf. IAUC 9137).
(IAUC 9158 (subscription required))
-
Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):
Designation Group Discoverer Notes
C/1997 C2 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/1999 D2 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/1999 D3 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/1999 O5 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/1999 Q4 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 Y10 Kracht R. Kracht 36th member of the Kracht group
C/2009 Y11 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2009 Y12 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 Y13 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 Y14 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 Y18 Meyer J. Ruan 104th member of the Meyer group
C/2009 Y19 Kreutz J. Ruan
Official SOHO comets: 1773
(MPEC 2010-O30,
MPEC 2010-O32,
MPEC 2010-O33)
-
Further STEREO comets (all named STEREO):
Designation Group Discoverer Notes
C/2009 Y15 Kreutz A. Watson
C/2009 Y16 Kreutz A. Watson
C/2009 Y17 Kreutz A. Watson
Official STEREO comets: 27
(MPEC 2010-O31)
2010 July 11
-
New Discovery!:
A. Maintzer (JPL) reports the discovery of a new comet on Jul. 05, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission. After posting on the NEO Confirmation
Page D. Tholen (University of Hawaii) reports that J. Luthe (3.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope) was
able to confirm the cometary nature of the 19.5m object. Subsequently, pre-discovery observations
by Catalina of Apr. 13, May 8, and 18, 2010, were also identified. The orbit for comet P/2010 N1 (WISE)
indicates perihelion on Aug. 16, 2010, at about 1.5 AU. The period is about 5.7 years. This is the 15th
comet for WISE.
(IAUC 9157 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-N48)
-
A. Lowe was able to identify observations of P/2010 J5 (McNaught) by Spacewatch of Nov. 01, 2005, and
by the Mt. Lemmon survey of Nov. 01, and Dec. 04, 2005, and of Feb. 28, and Mar. 25, 2009.
(MPEC 2010-N30)
2010 June 24
-
New Discovery!:
A. R. Gibbs reports his discovery of a new comet on Jun. 22, 2010, in the course of the
Mt. Lemmon Survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page R. S. McMillan and C. K. Maleszewski (Spacewatch) were able to confirm the cometary
nature of the 20m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 M1 (Gibbs) indicates
perihelion on Feb. 7, 2012, at about 2.3 AU. This is the 31st comet discovery for the Mt. Lemmon Survey
and the 15th for Gibbs.
(IAUC 9156, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-M51)
-
New Discovery!:
A. Maintzer (JPL) repots the discovery of a new comet on Jun. 15, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission. After posting on the NEO Confirmation
Page G. J. Garradd (Siding Spring), S. Foglia, L. Buzzi, P. Concari, G. Galli, and M. Tombelli (remotely
from Tzec Maun, Moorook), and H. Sato (remotely from RAS Observatory, Moorook) confirmed the cometary nature
of the 18m object. The first orbit for comet C/2010 L5 (WISE) indicates perihelion already
on Apr. 26, 2010, at about 0.8 AU. This is the 14th comet for WISE.
(IAUC 9155 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-M50)
2010 June 19
-
Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):
Designation Group Discoverer Notes
C/2009 U13 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 U14 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 V3 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 V4 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2001 V5 Kreutz T. Scarmato
C/2002 V6 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2009 V7 Kreutz A. Kubczak
C/2009 W3 Kreutz J. Ruan, B. Zhou
C/2009 W4 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 W5 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 W6 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 W7 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2009 W8 --- T. Scarmato
C/2009 W9 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2009 W10 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2009 W11 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2009 W12 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2009 W13 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 W14 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 W15 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2009 W16 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 X2 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 X3 Kreutz T. Scarmato
C/2009 X4 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 X5 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2009 X6 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 X7 Kreutz R. Kracht
C/2009 X8 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 X9 Kreutz A. Kubczak
C/2009 X10 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 X11 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 X12 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2009 X13 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2009 X14 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 X15 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2009 X16 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2009 X17 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 Y5 Kreutz J. Ruan, B. Zhou
C/2009 Y6 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2009 Y7 Kreutz H. Tan
C/2009 Y8 Meyer B. Zhou 103rd member of the Meyer group
C/2009 Y9 Kreutz B. Zhou
Official SOHO comets: 1761
(MPEC 2010-L85,
MPEC 2010-L90,
MPEC 2010-L91,
MPEC 2010-L92,
MPEC 2010-M16,
MPEC 2010-M17,
MPEC 2010-M18,
MPEC 2010-M19)
2010 June 18
-
New Discovery!:
A. Maintzer (JPL) repots the discovery of a new comet on Jun. 15, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission. After posting on the NEO Confirmation
Page W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory), S. Foglia and R. Holmes (Ashmore, USA), and R. Miles
(Faulkes Telescope North, Haleakala) confirmed the cometary nature of the 19m object.
The first orbit for comet C/2010 L4 (WISE) indicates perihelion on already on Jan. 24, 2010, at about
2.7 AU. This is the 13th comet for WISE.
(IAUC 9154 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-M20)
2010 June 13
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object discovered on Jun. 15, in the course of the
Catalina Sky Survey has been found cometary after
placement on the NEO Confirmation Page by W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory), P. Birtwhistle
(Great Shefford, England), S. Foglia and R. Holmes (Ashmore, USA), E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely
from near Mayhill, USA), D. Balam (Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Canada), and H. Sato (remotely
from RAS Observatory near Mayhill). The first orbit for the 19m comet C/2010 L3 (Catalina)
indicates perihelion on Jul. 10, 2011, at about 2.3 AU. This is the 91st comet for Catalina.
(IAUC 9153 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-M09)
-
Identification/Recovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered in 2002 by the
LINEAR survey and then designated
2002 LN13 has been found to be identical to a new comet reported by A. Mainzer found in the course of
the WISE mission on Jun. 10, 2010.
The orbit for comet P/2002 LN13 = P/2010 L2 (LINEAR) shows that it passed perihelion already on
Dec. 2, 2009, at about 2.4 AU. The period is 7.21 years. This is the 197th comet for LINEAR.
(IAUC 9152 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-L93)
2010 June 14
-
Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):
Designation Group Discoverer Notes
C/1997 S6 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/1998 D1 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/1999 R5 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/1999 S8 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2001 W5 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2002 B4 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2009 R3 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 R4 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 R5 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 S5 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 S6 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2009 S7 Kreutz R. Matson
C/2009 S8 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2009 S9 Meyer B. Zhou 101st member of the Meyer group
C/2009 S10 Kreutz M. Uchina
C/2009 S11 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2009 S12 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 T4 Kreutz J. Ruan
C/2009 T5 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2009 T6 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2009 T7 Kreutz M. Kusiak
C/2009 T8 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 T9 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 T10 --- B. Zhou
C/2009 T11 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 T12 Kreutz S. Yuan
C/2009 T13 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2009 U7 Meyer B. Zhou 102nd member of the Meyer group
C/2009 U8 Kreutz Z. Xu
C/2009 U9 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 U10 --- B. Zhou
C/2009 U11 Kreutz B. Zhou
C/2009 U12 Kreutz M. Kusiak
Official SOHO comets: 1719
(MPEC 2010-L20,
MPEC 2010-L21,
MPEC 2010-L42,
MPEC 2010-L43,
MPEC 2010-L44,
MPEC 2010-L45,
MPEC 2010-L60)
-
Further STEREO comets (all named STEREO):
Designation Group Discoverer Notes
C/2010 E6 Kreutz A. Watson
Official STEREO comets: 24
(MPEC 2010-L19)
2010 June 13
-
New Discovery!:
A. Maintzer (JPL) repots the discovery of a new comet on Jun. 02, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission. After posting on the NEO Confirmation
Page J. V. Scotti (Spacewatch), Scotti, J. A. Larsen, R. S. McMillan, and G. Bechetti (Steward Observatory),
and R. Miles (Faulkes Telescope North, Haleakala) confirmed the cometary nature of the 21.5m object.
The first orbit for comet P/2010 L1 (WISE) indicates perihelion on already on Feb. 04, 2010, at about
2.1 AU. This is the 12th comet for WISE.
(IAUC 9151 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-L46)
-
New permanent short periodic comet numberings:
236P/LINEAR = P/2010 K1 = P/2003 UY275
(IAUC 9150 (subscription required))
2010 June 04
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on May 27, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission has been found cometary after posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page. J. V. Scotti (Spacewatch) and A. C. Gilmore and P. M. Kilmartin (Mt. John) reported
a small coma in their follow-up images. A. Mainzer (JPL) then reported that a coma was seen in 12-micron
images. The first orbit for the 19.5m comet P/2010 K2 (WISE)
indicates perihelion on July 07, 2010, at about 1.2 AU. This is the 11th comet for WISE.
(IAUC 9150 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-L17)
2010 May 25
-
Recovery!:
J. V. Scotti (LPL) reports his recovery of comet P/2003 UY275 on May 20, and 21,
2010, using the Spacewatch 1.8-m reflector. P/2010 K1 (LINEAR) was about 21.5m. It
will pass perihelion on Sep. 8, 2010, at about 1.83 AU. The period is 7.21 years. The correction to
the prediction was -0.70 day.
(IAUC 9149, subscription required)
-
Further astrometry has shown that comet 2010 J5 is of short period. The latest orbit for comet
P/2010 J5 (McNaught) indicates perihelion already on Dec. 22, 2009, at about 3.7 AU. The period
is about 8.3 years. The eccentricity is only 0.087.
(MPEC 2009-K53)
-
B. G. Marsden (MPC) has identified WISE observations of Feb. 6, and 7, 2010, designated 2010 CG6
with comet P/2010 J3 (McMillan).
(IAUC 9149, subscription required)
2010 May 14
-
New Discovery!:
R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on May 12, 2010, in the course
of the Siding Spring Survey. After posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page H. Sato (remotely from RAS Observatory, Moorook) and R. Ligustri
(same location) confirmed the cometary nature of the 18m object. The first and
preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 J5 (McNaught) shows perihelion on Jun. 20, 2011,
at about 1.4 AU. It seems possible that this comet is of short period with a much larger
perihelion distance. This is the 72nd comet for the Siding Spring Survey and the
56th for McNaught.
(IAUC 9148, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-J96)
2010 May 09
-
New Discovery!:
R. S. McMillan reports his discovery of a new comet on May 12, 2010, in the course of the
Spacewatch survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page
Following posting on the Minor G. Sostero, E. Guido, L. Donato, and V. Gonano (remotely from Tzec Maun, Mayhill), D. Balam
(Dominion Astrophysical Observatory), H. Sato, (remotely from RAS Observatory, Mayhill), P. Concari, S. Foglia,
G. Galli, and M. Tombelli (remotely from Tzec Maun, Cloudcroft), J. Cave and R. Miles, ('Faulkes Telescope South', Siding Spring),
R. Ligustri (remotely from RAS Observatory, Moorook), A. Novichonok and T. Kryachko (remotely from Zelenchukskaya Station),
P. Camilleri (remotely from Tzec Maun, Cloudcroft), and T. Yusa (remotely from RAS Observatory, Mayhill) were able to confirm
the cometary nature of the 17m comet. The first orbit for comet C/2010 J3 (McMillan) indicates perihelion
on Sep. 28, 2010, at about 2.2 AU. This is the 47th comet for Spacewatch and the 2nd for McMillan.
(IAUC 9146 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-J80)
-
New Discovery!:
A. Mainzer (JPL) reports the discovery of a new comet on May 12, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission. After posting on the NEO Confirmation Page
D. Balam (Dominion Astrophysical Observatory) and P. Holvorcem (Tenagra Observatory) were able to confirm the cometary
appearance of the 19m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 J4 (WISE)
indicates perihelion on May 03, 2010, at about 1.1 AU. This is the 10th comet for WISE.
(IAUC 9147 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-J91)
2010 May 10
-
New Discovery!:
R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on May 08, 2010, in the course
of the Siding Spring Survey. After posting on
the NEO Confirmation Page S. Foglia and R. Holmes (Ashmore), Foglia, P. Concari, G. Galli,
M. Tombelli (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory), W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge),
H. Sato (remotely from RAS Observatory, Mayhill), A. C. Gilmore and P. M. Kilmartin (Mt. John),
and R. Ligustri (remotely from RAS Observatory, Moorook) confirmed the cometary nature of the
17.5m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 J2 (McNaught)
shows perihelion already on Apr. 06, 2010, at about 3.4 AU. This is the 71st comet for the
Siding Spring Survey and the 55th for McNaught.
(IAUC 9145, subscription required,
MPEC 2009-J59)
2010 May 09
-
New Discovery!:
An object with slight cometary features was discovered by J. V. Scotti (LPL) on Apr. 21, 2010, in the course of the
Spacewatch survey. Images of May 3, and 4, confirmed this
appearance and R-band images taken by W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge) also showed a greater
FWHM than nearby field stars. Prediscovery images by Spacewatch of Mar. 18, 2010, and by Mt. Lemmon of Mar. 21,
and Apr. 10, 2010, were identified by T. Spahr. The first orbit for comet P/2010 H5 (Scotti) indicates perihelion
on Apr. 11, 2010, at about 6.0 AU. This is the 46th comet for Spacewatch and the 8th for Scotti.
(IAUC 9144 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-J45)
-
More astrometry has shown that comet 2010 H4 is of short period. Comet P/2010 H4 (Soctti) will pass perihelion
on Jun. 27, 2010, at about 4.82 AU. The period is about 17 years.
(MPEC 2010-J52)
2010 May 08
-
New Discovery!:
A. Boattini reports his discovery of a new comet on May 6, 2010, in the course of the
Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill), S. Foglia, P. Concari,
G. Galli, and M. Tombelli (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory), A. Novichonok, D. Chestnov
and T. Kryachko (Zelenchukskaya Station), M. Busch, D. Koschny and L. D. Palmero (ESA Optical
Ground Station), F. Fratev (Plana), H. Sato (remotely from RAS Observatory, Mayhill), D. T.
Durig (Sewanee), J. E. McGaha (Tucson), and T. Yusa (remotely from RAS Observatory, Mayhill)
confirmed the cometary nature of the 15.5m object. The first and preliminary orbit for
comet C/2010 J1 (Boattini) indicates perihelion already on Jan. 31, 2010, at about 1.6 AU.
This is the 90th comet for the Catalina Sky Survey and the 14th for Boattini.
(IAUC 9143 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-J32)
-
New orbital computations by B. G. Marsden in partial collaboration with R. Kracht present a linkage of the
Marsden group comets 1999 J1, 2004 V9 and 2010 H3. Comet P/2010 H3 (SOHO) will have a moderate approach
to Earth at about 0.32 AU around May 29. A. Nakamura points out the possibility of a detection with the WISE
spacecraft telescope around May 24.
(MPEC 2010-J28)
2010 April 28
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Oct. 22, 2009, in the course of the
Mt. Lemmon Survey and then designated
2009 UG89 has been found cometary by H. Sato (remotely from RAS Obs., Mayhill) and J. V. Scotti
and R. McMillan (Spacewatch). The orbit for comet C/2009 UG89 (Lemmon)
indicates perihelion on Dec. 16, 2010, at about 3.93 AU. This is the 30th comet for the Mt. Lemmon Survey.
(IAUC 9141, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-H68)
2010 April 24
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Mar. 28, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission and then designated
2010 FB87, has been independently discovered by G. J. Garradd on Apr. 21, 2010,
in the course of the Siding Spring Survey.
Garradd reported a faint tail and follow-up observations by S. Foglia, P. Miller and J. Wood
(Faulkes Telescope South) confirmed the cometary nature of the 17.5m object.
The first orbit for comet C/2010 FB87 (WISE-Garradd) indicates perihelion
on Nov. 6, 2010, at about 2.8 AU. This is the 70th comet for the Siding Spring Survey
and the 17th for Garradd.
(CBET 2260 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-H48)
-
New Discovery!:
J. V. Scotti (LPL) reports his discovery of a new comet on Apr. 20, 2010, in the course of the
Spacewatch survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge) confirmed the cometary nature of the 20m
object. The first and very preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 H4 (Scotti) indicates perihelion
on Jan. 16, 2014, at about 3.8 AU. The orbit is currently very indeterminate. This is the 45th
comet for Spacewatch and the 7th for Scotti.
(CBET 2257 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-H41)
2010 April 21
2010 April 19
-
Further observations of comet P/2010 H2 (Vales) show indeed an expanding, elliptical coma.
(CBET 2253 (subscription required))
2010 April 17
-
New Discovery!:
A bright asteroidal object has been discovered by J. Vales (Crni Vrh, Slovenia) on Apr. 16, 2010.
Numerous follow-up observations show that this object is most likely a comet in outburst. R. A.
Kowalski (Catalina Sky Survey) reports that the object is not visible in images down to 20m
of April 15.4 UT. Some observers have commented on a slightly larger FWHM of the object compared to the
surrounding stars. The still very uncertain orbit for comet P/2010 H2 indicates perihelion on
May 21, 2010, at about 3.1 AU. Follow-up observations are strongly encouraged. It is expected that an
expanding coma will develop over the next days and weeks.
(CBET 2249 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-H12)
-
New Discovery!:
G. J. Garradd reports his discovery of a probable new comet on Apr. 16, 2010, in the course of the
Siding Spring Survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page A. C. Gilmore and P. M. Kilmartin (Mt. John) confirmed the cometary nature of
the 18.5m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 H1 (Garradd)
shows perihelion on Jul. 15, 2010, at about 2.5 AU. This is the 16th comet for Garradd,
and the 69th comet for the Siding Spring Survey.
(CBET 2248 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-H07)
2010 April 16
-
New Discovery!:
A. Mainzer (JPL) reports the discovery of a new comet on Apr. 14, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission. This was confirmed by
W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge). The first and preliminary orbit for the 18.5m comet C/2010 G3 (WISE)
indicates perihelion on Sep. 26, 2010, at about 4.7 AU. This is the 8th comet for WISE.
(CBET 2246 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-H04)
2010 April 15
-
Identification!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Nov. 22, 2009, in the course of the
Catalina Sky Survey, and then designated
2009 WX51, has been found to be cometary in images taken in the course
of the WISE mission on Apr. 2 and 3, 2010.
The orbit for comet P/2009 WX51 (Catalina) indicates perihelion on Jan. 31, 2010,
at about 0.80 AU. The period is about 5.41 years. This is the 89th comet for the
Catalina Sky Survey.
(IAUC 9135 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-G105)
2010 April 12
-
New Discovery!:
R. E. Hills reports his discovery of a new comet on Apr. 10, 2010, in the course of the
Catalina Sky Survey, which was confirmed by
R. A. Kowalski and G. M. Hupe, and S. M. Larson at Mt. Lemmon. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page A. Novichonok and D. Chestnov (remotely from Tzec Maun), W. H. Ryan and E. V.
Ryan (Magdalena Ridge), E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from RAS Observatory, Mayhill),
H. Sato (remotely from the same site) and R. Ligustri (remotely from RAS Observatory, Moorook)
confirmed the cometary nature of the 18.5m object. The first and preliminary orbit
for comet C/2010 G2 (Hill) indicates perihelion on Jun. 19, 2011, at about 1.3 AU. This is
the 88th comet for the Catalina Sky Survey and the 22nd for Hill. The
comet might reach 11m or brighter.
(IAUC 9134 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-G87)
-
New permanent short periodic comet numberings:
234P/LINEAR = P/2010 E4 = P/2002 CF140
235P/LINEAR = P/2010 F2 = P/2002 FA9
(IAUC 9134 (subscription required))
2010 April 6
-
New Discovery!:
A. Boattini reports his discovery of a new comet on Apr. 5, 2010, in the course of the
Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page A. R. Gibbs (Mt. Lemmon), R. Ligustri (Udine), E. Pettarin (Farra
d'Isonzo), F. Castellani and C. Marangoni (Malcesine), P. Birtwhistle (Great Shefford),
L. Buzzi (Varese), and J. E. McGaha (Tucson) confirmed the cometary nature of the 13.5m
object. J. J. Gonzales (Alto del Trichero - Soto y Amio) visually estimated a magnitude of 13.2m.
The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 G1 (Boattini) indicates perihelion Apr. 6, 2010,
at about 1.2 AU. This is the 87th comet for the Catalina Sky Survey and the 13th for Boattini.
(IAUC 9133 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-G27)
2010 March 27
-
New Discovery!:
Don E. Machholz (Colfax, CA, USA) reports his visual discovery of a comet on Mar. 23, using
a 47-cm reflector. The comet was only observed for about 20 minutes, and not motion could be
detected. The magnitude was given as 11m. He was able to detect the object again on Mar. 26,
at 11.5-12m. After posting on the NEO Confirmation Page Y. Ikari (Moriyama), K. Kadota (Ageo),
and K. Yoshimoto (Yamaguchi-ken) confirmed the comet. Yoshimoto observed the comet visually and gave
a magnitude of 11.
The first and very preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 F4 (Machholz) shows perihelion on Apr. 10,
2010, at about 0.6 AU. The comet will move closer to the sun and then turn southward becoming fainter quickly.
This is the 11th visual comet discovery for Machholz, who had searched 607 hours since his last
discovery C/2004 Q2. Also, this is the first visual comet discovery after 2006.
(IAUC 9127 (subscription required),
e-mail from D. E. Machholz)
2010 March 25
-
New Discovery!:
J. V. Scotti (LPL) reports his discovery of another new comet on Mar. 20, 2010, in the course of the
Spacewatch survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge), M. Busch, D. Koschny and D. Abreu (ESA Optical Ground
Station, Tenerife), and P. Birtwhistle (Great Shefford) confirmed the cometary nature
of the 19.5m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 F3 (Scotti)
indicates perihelion on Nov. 2, 2010, at about 5.2 AU. This is the 44th comet for
Spacewatch and the 6th for Scotti.
(IAUC 9127 (subscription required),
MPEC 2010-F67)
2010 March 21
-
Identification/Recovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered in 2002 by the
LINEAR survey and then designated
2002 FA9 has been found to be cometary in images taken by R. H. McNaught in the
course of the Siding Spring survey on March 20, 2010. Earlier observations by the Catalina survey were found, too.
The orbit for comet P/2002 FA9 = P/2010 F2 (LINEAR) shows that it passes perihelion on Mar. 21, 2010,
at about 2.75 AU. The period is 8.01 years. This is the 196th comet for LINEAR.
(9130, MPEC 2010-F50)
2010 March 19
-
New Discovery!:
A. Boattini reports his discovery of a new comet on Mar. 17, 2010, in the course of the
Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge), A. Novichonok and D. Chestnov
(remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory near Mayhill), H. Sato (remotely from RAS Observatory
near Mayhill), and E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill) confirmed the cometary
nature of the 18m object. Prediscovery images by Catalina of Feb. 20, 2010, were
also identified. The first orbit for comet C/2010 F1 (Boattini) indicates perihelion
already on Nov. 13, 2009, at about 3.6 AU. This is the 86th comet for the Catalina
Sky Survey and the 12th for Boattini.
(IAUC 9128, MPEC 2010-F32)
-
M. Meyer (Limburg, Germany) reports his discovery of a new comet in NEAT images obtained in 2001.
The discovery images of 2001, Aug. 18, show a tail, as well as the images of Aug. 22. Meyer was able to
detect the comet in numerous NEAT images until Dec. 13, 2001. The Aug. 22, observations were already
reported as a single night detection back in 2001, but never followed up. A single night detection by
LONEOS was also detected by B. G. Marsden. The orbot for comet P/2001 Q11 (NEAT) shows perihelion
on June 22, 2001, at about 1.85 AU. The period is 6.18 years. Searches by several other surveys to detect
the comet in images of the favourable return of 2007 were of no success. The comet was then at a 0.1 AU
farther perihelion. This is the 54th comet for NEAT.
(IAUC 9129, MPEC 2010-F38)
2010 March 16
-
New Discovery!:
J. V. Scotti (LPL) reports his discovery of a new comet on Mar. 14, 2010, in the course of the
Spacewatch survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page P. Holvorcem (Tenagra), L. Buzzi (Varese), R. Holmes and S. Foglia (Ashomore),
W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge), L. Elenin (remotely from Tzec Maun near Mayhill),
and E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill) were able to confirm the cometary nature
of the 19.5m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 E5 (Scotti)
indicates perihelion on Jan. 20, 2011, at about 4.0 AU. This is the 43rd comet for
Spacewatch and the 5th for Scotti.
(IAUC 9127, MPEC 2010-F14)
2010 March 16
-
Identification/Recovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered in 2002 by the
LINEAR survey and then designated
2002 CF140 has been found to be cometary in images taken by R. A. Kowalski in the
course of the Mt. Lemmon survey on March 15, 2010. Earlier observations by the La Sagra survey were found, too.
The orbit for comet P/2002 CF140 = P/2010 E4 (LINEAR) shows that it has already passed perihelion on Dec. 23, 2009,
at about 2.86 AU. The period is 7.47 years. This is the 195th comet for LINEAR.
(9126, MPEC 2010-F02)
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Mar. 5, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission has been found to be cometary by
W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge). Upon request, A. Mainzer (JPL) reported also a coma
in the WISE images. The first and preliminary orbit for the 20m comet C/2010 E3 (WISE)
indicates perihelion on Apr. 4, 2010, at about 2.3 AU. This is the 7th comet for WISE.
(IAUC 9126, MPEC 2010-F01)
2010 March 12
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object discovered discovered by D. H. Levy, W. Levy, and T. Glinos on
Mar. 9, 2010, using a 64-cm reflector at Jarnac Observatory (Vail) has been found to be cometary
after posting on the NEO Confirmation Page. D. Chestnov and A. Novichonok (remotely from Tzec
Maun Observatory near Mayhill) and W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge) reported about
the cometary appearance of the 18.5m object. The MPC was also able to link
observations of the Mt. Lemmon Survey obtained on Feb. 17, 2010. The orbit for comet
P/2010 E2 (Jarnac) shows perihelion on Apr. 7, 2010, at about 2.4 AU. The period is
about 25.3 years. This is the first amateur discovery in 2010, and the 23rd comet
for Levy.
(IAUC 9125, MPEC 2010-E64)
-
New Discovery!:
A. Mainzer (JPL) reports the discovery of a new comet on Feb. 28, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission. After posting on the NEOCP
numerous ground-based observers failed to detect any cometary appearance. The first and
preliminary orbit for the 20m comet C/2010 D4 (WISE) indicates perihelion
already on Mar. 30, 2009, at about 7.2 AU. This is the 6th comet for WISE.
(IAUC 9125, MPEC 2010-E63)
2010 March 12
-
New Discovery!:
G. J. Garradd reports his discovery of a new comet on Mar. 11, 2010, in the course of the
Siding Spring Survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page R. Holmes and S. Foglia (Ashmore), Foglia, P. Concari, G. Galli, and M.
Tombelli (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory), H. Sato (remotely from RAS Observatory, Mayhill),
E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from RAS Observatory, Mayhill), L. Elenin (remotely from
Tzec Maun Observatory), P. M. Kilmartin and A. C. Gilmore (Mt. John), and R. Ligustri (remotely from
near Moorook) were then able to confirm the cometary nature of the 17.5m object.
The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 E1 (Garradd) shows perihelion already on
Oct. 24, 2009, at about 2.6 AU. This is the 15th comet for Garradd, and the 68th
comet for the Siding Spring Survey.
(IAUC 9124, MPEC 2010-E59)
-
Additional observations have shown that comet 2010 D2 is of short period. Comet P/2010 D2 (WISE)
passed perihelion on Feb. 27, 2010, at about 3.7 AU. The period is about 17.0 years.
(MPEC 2010-E56)
2010 March 11
-
New Discovery!:
D. J. Tholen (University of Hawaii) reports that the object 2010 DG56, which was discovered
on Feb. 18, 2010, in the course of the WISE
mission, showed a faint tail in images taken by M. Micheli, J. Gazak, and Tholen on Mar. 5, 2010.
Upon request, A. Mainzer (JPL) confirmed a coma visible in the WISE images. The orbit for comet
C/2010 DG56 (WISE) indicates perihelion on May. 13, 2010, at about 1.6 AU.
This is the fifth comet for WISE.
(IAUC 9123, MPEC 2010-D79,
MPEC 2010-E42)
2010 March 09
-
New Discovery!:
A. Mainzer (JPL) reports the discovery of a new comet on Mar. 26, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission. After posting on the NEOCP
G. J. Garradd (Siding Spring) confirmed the cometary nature of the 19-21m object. The first
orbit for comet C/2010 D3 (WISE) indicates perihelion on Sep. 2, 2010, at about 4.2 AU.
This is the fourth comet for WISE.
(IAUC 9122, MPEC 2010-E34)
2010 March 05
-
New Discovery!:
A. Mainzer (JPL) reports the discovery of a new comet on Mar. 25, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission. After posting on the NEOCP
P. Birtwhistle (Great Shefford) confirmed the cometary nature of the 19.5m object. The first
orbit for comet C/2010 D2 (WISE) indicates perihelion on Jul. 2, 2010, at about 3.7 AU.
(IAUC 9121, MPEC 2010-E12)
2010 March 03
-
New permanent short periodic comet numbering:
233P/La Sagra = P/2009 WJ50 = P/2005 JR71
(IAUC 9119)
2010 February 20
-
New Discovery!:
A. Mainzer (JPL) reports the discovery of a new comet on Feb. 17, 2010, in the course of the
WISE mission. After posting on the NEOCP
R. S. McMillan (Spacewatch) confirmed the cometary nature of the 21m object. Afterwards
prediscovery observations by Catalina of Nov. 9, and Dec. 10, 2009, were also identified. Comet
P/2010 D1 (WISE) already passed perihelion on Jun. 25, 2009, at about 2.66 AU.
The period is about 8.5 years.
(IAUC 9118, MPEC 2010-D51)
2010 February 16
-
Identification!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Nov. 19, 2009, in the course of the
La Sagra Sky Survey (LSSS) has been found to show
cometary appearance in images taken in the course of the WISE
mission. Upon request of the MPC M. T. Read and J. V. Scotti (Spacewatch) and W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan
(Magdalena Ridge) were able to confirm this result. Additionally, the comet was identified with a
two-night detection by LINEAR of May 8, and 10, 2005, then named 2005 JR71.
The orbit for comet P/2009 WJ50 =2005 JR71 (La Sagra) shows perihelion on
Mar. 12, 2010, at about 1.79 AU. The period is about 5.3 years. This is the 6th amateur
comet discovery in 2009, and the 3rd for the La Sagra Survey. (IAUC 9117, MPEC 2010-D01, -D02)
2010 February 10
-
New Discovery!:
J. V. Scotti (LPL) reports his discovery of a new comet in the course of the
Spacewatch survey on Feb. 9, 2010. The subsequent detection
of numerous prediscovery observations allowed a quick establishemnt of the orbit: Dec 12, 2008, and Feb. 1, and 28, 2009,
from the Mt. Lemmon Survey, Jan. 2, 2009, from Spacewatch II, and of Jan. 12, and Feb. 5, 2010, from Spacewatch. The orbit
for comet P/2010 C1 (Scotti) shows perihelion already on Dec. 1, 2009, at about 5.24 AU. The period is about
18.8 years. This is the 42nd comet for Spacewatch and the fourth for Scotti.
(IAUC 9116, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-C26)
2010 February 09
-
New Discovery!:
The WISE mission has found its first comet! A. Mainzer (JPL),
reported the discovery of a possible comet in WISE IR images taken on Jan. 22, 2010. After posting on the NEOCP
D. J. Tholen (Mauna Kea) and J. V. Scotti (LPL) were then able to confirm the cometary nature of the
20m object. Comet P/2010 B2 (WISE) already passed perihelion on Dec. 20, 2009, at about 1.61 AU.
The period is about 5.2 years.
(IAUC 9115, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-C23)
2010 January 24
-
New Discovery!:
On Jan. 19, 2010, R. D. Cardinal (Rothney Astrophysical Observatory, University of Calgary) reported the discovery of
an object which was posted on the NEO Confirmation Page. In the course of their follow-up Y. Ikari (Moriyama),
D. Chestnov and T. Kryachko (Engelhardt Observatory, Zelenchukskaya Station), J. M. Aymami (Tiana), and L. Buzzi (Varese)
then commented about the cometary nature of the 17.5m object. The first and prelimary orbit fore comet
C/2010 B1 (Cardinal) indicates perihelion on Feb. 6, 2011, at about 2.9 AU. The comet might reach 13m,
well placed at opposition.
(CBET 2141, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-B36)
-
Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):
Designation Group Discoverer Notes
C/2009 V1 Kreutz M. Uchina First seen by STEREO
C/2009 V2 Kreutz M. Uchina First seen by STEREO
Official SOHO comets: 1683
(MPEC 2019-B27)
-
Further STEREO comets (all named STEREO):
Designation Group Discoverer Notes
C/2009 Y3 Kreutz A. Watson
C/2009 Y4 Kreutz A. Watson
Official STEREO comets: 23
(MPEC 2010-B28)
2010 January 16
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Jan. 14, 2010, in the course of the
LINEAR survey has been found cometary after
placement on the NEO Confirmation Page by R. Ligustri (Udine, remotely from Moorook), L. Buzzi (Varese),
K. Sarneczky (Konkoly Observatory), E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill), W. H. Ryan
(Magdalena Ridge Observatory), H. Sato (remotely from near Mayhill), and S. Foglia, P. Concari, G. Galli,
and M. Tombelli (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory). The preliminary orbit for comet P/2010 A5 (LINEAR)
shows perihelion on Apr. 20, 2010, at about 1.7 AU. The period is about 11.9 years. This is the 194th
comet discovery for LINEAR.
(IAUC 9108, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-B02)
-
Additional astrometry has shown that comet 2010 A3 is of short period. M. Meyer (Limburg) was also
able to identify a prediscovery observation by the La Sagra Sky Survey (LSSS)
of Oct. 14, 2009. The orbit for comet P/2010 A3 (Hill) indicates perihelion on Apr. 3, 2010,
at about 1.6 AU. The period is about 14.9 years.
(MPEC 2010-A85)
2010 January 15
-
New Discovery!:
On Jan. 12, 2010, G. J. Garradd reported his discovery of an apparently asteroidal
object in the course of the Siding Spring Survey.
After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page Garradd remarked that the object appeared elongated.
W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory), E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill), and
R. Holmes and S. Foglia (Ashmore) also reported the cometary appearance of the 18.5m object.
The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 A4 (Siding Spring) shows perihelion on
Oct. 8, 2010, at about 2.7 AU. This is the 67th comet for the Siding Spring Survey.
(IAUC 9107, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-A76)
2010 January 10
-
As already suspected additional astrometry has shown that comet 2010 A1 is of short period. The latest
orbit for comet P/2010 A1 (Hill) shows perihelion already on Aug. 9, 2009, at about 1.9 AU. The
period is about 9 years.
(MPEC 2010-A50)
2010 January 8
-
New Discovery!:
R. E. Hill (LPL) reports his discovery of another new comet on Jan. 8, 2010, in the course of the
Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page T. Kryachko (remotely from Zelenchukskaya Station), H. Sato (remotely from
near Mayhill), W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge), E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill)
and K. Kadota (Ageo) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 17.5m object. The
first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2010 A3 (Hill) indicates perihelion on Mar. 27, 2010,
at about 1.7 AU. This is the 85th comet for the Catalina Sky Survey and the 21st
for Hill.
(IAUC 9106, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-A48)
2010 January 8
-
New Discovery!:
R. E. Hill (LPL) reports his discovery of a new comet on Jan. 6, 2010, in the course of the
Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO
Confirmation Page E. C. Beshore (Mt. Lemmon), Y. Ikari (Moriyama), P. Birtwhistle (Great
Shefford), H. Sato (remotely from near Mayhill), and W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge) were able
to confirm the cometary nature of the 17.5m object. The first and preliminary orbit
for comet C/2010 A1 (Hill) indicates perihelion on Jun. 24, 2010, at about 1.0 AU. The
comet might be of short period. This is the 84th comet for the Catalina Sky Survey
and the 20th for Hill. The comet might reach 11m in July.
(IAUC 9104, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-A31)
-
New Discovery!:
An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Jan. 6, 2010, in the course of the
LINEAR survey has been found cometary after
placement on the NEO Confirmation Page by P. Birtwhistle (Great Shefford), W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge),
H. Sato (remotely from near Mayhill), E. C. Beshore (Mt. Lemmon), and K. Kadota (Ageo). All note that the
comet is hard to measure due to almost no central condensation, but a straight tail. The preliminary orbit
for comet P/2010 A2 (LINEAR) shows perihelion on May 7, 2010, at about 1.4 AU. The period is about
7.2 years. This is the 193rd comet discovery for LINEAR.
(IAUC 9105, subscription required,
MPEC 2010-A32)
2010 January 01
-
New permanent comet numberings:
229P/Gibbs = P/2009 S1 = P/2001 Q10
230P/LINEAR = P/2009 U6 = P/1997 A2 = P/2002 Q15
231P/LINEAR-NEAT = P/2009 X1 = P/2003 CP7
232P/Hill = P/2009 W1 = P/1999 XO188
(IAUC 9101, subscription required,
IAUC 9102, subscription required)
accesses since Oct. 10, 1999.