News - April 2009
2009 April 27
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R. Kracht (Elmshorn) was able to precover comet 2001 D1 = 2004 X7 = 2008 S2 in three
SOHO/C2 images of May 1, 1997. The orbital solution by B. G. Marsden for comet
1997 J6 (SOHO) used non-gravitational parameters, which may be a confirmation that the
object is really cometary.
(MPEC 2009-H56)
2009 April 19
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Recovery!:
On Mar. 31, 2009, the LINEAR team reported a single-night candidate for the recovery of
comet P/2003 H4 at about 19.4-19.8m. On Apr. 15, G. Sostero,
E. Prosperi, E. Guido, and P. Camilleri reported their recovery of this comet remotely
observing from Grove Creek. They reported magnitudes of 19.5-19.7m. Comet
P/2009 F7 (LINEAR) will pass perihelion on Jun. 22, 2009, at about 1.70 AU. The period
is about 6.10 years. The correction to the prediction on MPC 56804 and the Comet Handbook 2008/2009
is -0.13 day.
(IAUC 9038, subscription required)
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New permanent numbering: P/2009 F3 = P/2001 MD7 = 217P.
(IAUC 9038, subscription required)
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Recovery!:
E. Guido, G. Sostero, P. Camilleri, and E. Prosperi report their recovery of comet
P/2002 LZ11 on Apr. 17, (remotely from near Mayhill) and 18 (remotely
from near Sonoita) at 18.8-19.4m. Comet P/2009 H1 (LINEAR) will pass
perihelion on Mar. 5.73, 2010, at about 2.36 AU. The period is about 6.99 years. The correction to
the prediction on MPC 59599 and the Comet Handbook 2008/2009 is -0.4 day.
(IAUC 9039, subscription required)
2009 April 09
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New Discovery!:
J. Ruan reports his discovery of a possible new comet in images taken with the
SECCHI HI-1B instrument aboard the STEREO spacecraft in images starting on Apr. 3, 2009.
The about 10.5m comet C/2009 F1 (STEREO) will pass perihelion according
to the preliminary elements on Apr. 12, 2009, at about 1.1 AU. The comet may become
a little bit brighter during April but will be a southern-hemisphere object. This is the
13th comet for STEREO.
(IAUC 9036, subscription required,
MPEC 2009-G30)
2009 April 08
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New Discovery!:
A further report about a possible discovery of a comet by Dae-am Yi (Yeongwol-kun,
Gangwon-do, Korea) on Mar. 26, 2009, using a Canon 5D camera and a 90-mm f/2.8 lens
was forwarded by H. Yamaoka (Kyushu University, Japan). Yi noted a 1' diameter and
a magnitude of 12.5m. This comet turned out to be identical with C/2009 F6.
The first orbit for the now 8-9m comet C/2009 F6 (Yi-SWAN) shows
perihelion on May 8, 2009, at about 1.3 AU. The comet will become slightly brighter
and while changing from the morning to the evening sky it will fall below 30°
elongation in May.
A prediscovery observation by S. Korotkiy (Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia) of Mar. 25,
with a Canon EOS 20D and a 50-mm lens showing the comet at G magnitude 10.7, was also
reported.
(IAUC 9035, subscription required,
MPEC 2009-G21,
Comets Mailing List)
2009 April 07
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New Discovery!:
R. D. Matson reports his discovery of a possible new comet on images taken with the SWAN
ultra-violet imager aboard the SOHO spacecraft. After notification of several observers
and the placement of the object on the NEO Confirmation Page numerous confirmations have been
reported. Besides many CCD confirmations the following visual data have been reported: April
6.15, 8.2m, 6' (J. J. Gonzales, Spain, 15-cm reflector), 6.91, 9.7m, 2'
(V. Nevski, Belorussia, 30-cm reflector), April 7.10, 10m:, 2' (B. King, MN, USA,
37-cm reflector).
There is no orbit available yet for comet C/2009 F6, which is best visible in the
morning sky from the northern hemisphere. A search ephemeris can be generated on the
NEOCP.
(IAUC 9034, subscription required,
Comets Mailing List)