News - May - December 2009

2009 December 30

Additional astrometry has shown that comet 2009 Y2 is of short period. The latest orbit for comet P/2009 Y2 (Kowalski) indicates perihelion on Mar. 30, 2010, at about 2.3 AU. The period is about 15.5 years. (MPEC 2009-Y59)

2009 December 21

New Discovery!: R. A. Kowalski reports his discovery of a new comet on Dec. 20, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page A. R. Gibbs (Mt. Lemmon), W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory), and P. Birtwhistle (Great Shefford) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 19^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 Y2 (Kowalski) indicates perihelion on Apr. 2, 2010, at about 2.3 AU. This is the 83^rd comet for the Catalina Sky Survey and the 5^th for Kowalski. (CBET 2088, subscription required, MPEC 2009-Y40)

2009 December 20

New Discovery!: An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Dec. 17, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey has been found to be cometary after placement on the NEO Confirmation Page by W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory), H. Sato (RAS Observatory, Mayhill), and by L. Buzzi (Schiaparelli Observatory).The first and preliminary orbit for the 19^m comet C/2009 Y1 (Catalina) indicates perihelion on Jan. 25, 2011, at about 2.4 AU. This is the 82^nd comet for the Catalina Sky Survey. (CBET 2084, subscription required, MPEC 2009-Y33)

2009 December 18

G. Hug (Scranton) has recovered comet P/2003 CP₇ on Dec. 11, 15, and 16, 2009. The 20-20.7^m comet P/2009 X1 LINEAR-NEAT) will pass perihelion on May 16, 2011, at about 3.03 AU. The period is about 8.08 years. M. Meyer (Limburg) used the linked orbit to detect the comet in two POSS plates of Apr. 20, 1950. (CBET 2081, subscription required, MPEC 2009-Y17)
F. Manca (Bosisio Parini) has identified comet P/2009 W1 with the LINEAR discovery 1999 XO₁₈₈ which was oroginally detected on Dec. 12, and 15, 1999, and Jan. 2, 2000. (CBET 2083, subscription required, MPEC 2009-Y21)

2009 December 14

S. Nakano (Sumoto) and R. Matson (Irvine) have independently detected observations of comet P/2009 U6 (LINEAR) in data obtained by the NEAT survey in 1997 and 2002. Nakano found NEAT measurements of Jan. 11, 1997, while found the same data and measured another triplet of Jan. 10, 1997. For the 2003 apparition Nakano identified measurements by NEAT of Aug. 20, and Sep. 9, 2002, while Matson found the same and measured additionally positions of July 24, Aug. 11, 17, and 31, and Sep. 16, 2002. The comet received the designations P/1997 A2 and P/2002 Q15. (CBET 2072, subscription required, MPEC 2009-X47)

2009 December 5

Rob Matson (Irvine) has detected precovery observations of comet P/2009 S1 (Gibbs) in NEAT data of Aug. 23, and 24, 2001, from Haleakala, and of Sep. 24, and Oct. 27, 2001, from Mt. Palomar. These observations lead to the designation P/2001 Q10. Meanwhile the comet received the permanent designation 229P/Gibbs. (MPEC 2009-X01)
The SOHO sungrazer project, which is responsible for the majority of the more than 1600 SOHO comets discovered by amateurs, has no more funding for the measurements of the detected SOHO comets. (sohohunter message 2989)

2009 November 24

New Discovery!: A. Boattini reports his discovery of a new comet on Nov. 23, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 19^m object. Prediscovery observations by Catalina of Nov. 21, were also identified. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 W2 (Boattini) indicates perihelion on Mar. 23, 2010, at about 7.0 AU. This is the 81^st comet for the Catalina Sky Survey and the 11^th for Boattini. (IAUC 9096, subscription required, MPEC 2009-W103)
Further astrometry confirms the suspicion that comet 2009 W1 is of short period. The refined orbit for comet P/2009 W1 (Hill) shows perihelion on Sep. 10, 2009, at about 2.9 AU. The period is about 9.1 years. (MPEC 2009-W101)

2009 November 20

New Discovery!: R. E. Hill (LPL) reports his discovery of a new comet on Nov. 18, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page F. Fratev (Plana), G. Hug (Scranton), A. R. Gibbs (Mt. Lemmon), and T. Kryachko and B. Satovski (Zelenchukskaya Station) were then able to confirm the cometary nature of the 18^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 W1 (Hill) indicates perihelion already on Jun. 26, 2009, at about 2.5 AU. The comet might be of short period. This is the 80^th comet for the Catalina Sky Survey and the 19^th for Hill. (IAUC 9095, subscription required, MPEC 2009-W34)
New permanent comet numberings:
228P/LINEAR = P/2001 YX₁₂₇ = P/2009 U2
(IAUC 9094, subscription required)

Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):

Designation  Group   Discoverer     Notes
C/2009 O5    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 P3    Kreutz  M. Kusiak
C/2009 P4    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 P5    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 Q6    Kreutz  Z. Xu
C/2009 Q7    Kreutz  Z. Xu, M. Kusiak
C/2009 Q8    Kreutz  M. Uchina

Official SOHO comets: 1681 (MPEC 2009-W09, MPEC 2009-W10)

2009 October 30 (updated)

New Discovery!: An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Oct. 27, 2009, in the course of the LINEAR survey has been found cometary after placement on the NEO Confirmation Page by T. Kryachko and B. Satovski (Zelenchukskaya Station), F. Fratev (Zvezdno Obshtestvo Observatory), and J. L. Montani and T. H. Bressi (Spacewatch). The comet was very close to 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann and may have been imaged by many amateurs recording the rendezvous between 29P and 81P/Wild. A prediscovery image taken on the day of discovery by F. Kugel is here and here centered on the motion of the comet. The comet can be seen as a diffuse short trail to the right of 29P and below the upper edge of the image.
Added at 19:00 UT: Further prediscovery images have been provided by K. Kadota (Ageo) of Oct. 19, and by Kugel of Oct. 25 and 26.
The preliminary orbit for comet P/2009 U6 (LINEAR) shows perihelion already on Aug. 11, 2009, at about 1.5 AU. The period is about 7.3 years. This is the 192^nd comet discovery for LINEAR. (IAUC 9090, subscription required, MPEC 2009-U126, MPEC 2009-U137)
Further astrometry has confirmed the suspicion that comet C/2009 U5 (Grauer) has a large perihelion distance. The latest orbit indicates perihelion on May 6, 2010, at about 6.2 AU. (MPEC 2009-U136)

2009 October 26

New Discovery!: A. D. Grauer reports his discovery of a new comet on Oct. 23, 2009, in the course of the Mt. Lemmon Survey. After posting on the NEO Confirmation Page W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge) were able to confrm the cometary nature of the 19^m objet. The first and very preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 U5 (Grauer) indicates perihelion on Aug. 23, 2010, at about 0.6 AU. The comet could then reach 7^m in 2010. However, there are also orbital solutions which show a perihelion distance around 6 AU. This is the 29^th comet for the Mt. Lemmon Survey. (IAUC 9088, subscription required, MPEC 2009-U100)

2009 October 24

New Discovery!: R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on Oct. 23, 2009, in the course of the Siding Spring Survey. Afterwards, Siding Spring prediscovery observations of Oct. 22, and later of Oct. 11, 2009, were also found. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page C. Jacques and E. Pimentel (Belo Horizonte), G. Hug (Scranton), W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory), A. Boattini (Mt. Lemmon), J. E. McGaha (Tucson), and H. Sato (remotely from near Mayhill) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 17^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet P/2009 U4 (McNaught) shows perihelion already on Sep. 11, 2009, at about 1.7 AU. The period is about 16.9 years. This is the 66^th comet for the Siding Spring Survey and the 54^th for McNaught. (IAUC 9087, subscription required, MPEC 2009-U76)

2009 October 22

New Discovery!: R. E. Hill reports his discovery of a new comet on Oct. 21, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page G. Sostero, E. Guido, and P. Camilleri (remotely from Skylive-Grove Creek Observatory), A. Asami and N. Hashimoto (Bisei Spaceguard Center), P. R. Holvorcem (Tenagra II), A. D. Grauer (Mt. Lemmon), H. Sato (remotely from near Mayhill), and G. Privett ('Faulkes Telescope North') were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 18^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 U3 (Hill) indicates perihelion on Mar. 11, 2009, at about 1.2 AU. This is the 79^th comet discovery for Catalina and the 18^th for Hill. (IAUC 9086, subscription required, MPEC 2009-U67)

2009 October 21

Recovery!: J. V. Scotti (LPL) reports his recovery of comet P/2001 YX₁₂₇ on Oct. 19 and 20, 2009, with the 1.8- Spacewatch II reflector. The correction to the prediction in the 2009/2010 Comet Handbook is -0.33 day. The 21^m comet P/2009 U2 (LINEAR) will pass perihelion on Aug. 23, 2011, at about 3.4 AU. The period is about 8.51 years. (IAUC 9085, subscription required, MPEC 2009-U40)

2009 October 19

New Discovery!: G. J. Garradd reports his discovery of a new comet on Oct. 17, 2009, in the course of the Siding Spring Survey. The first and preliminary orbit for the 19^m comet C/2009 U1 (Garradd) shows perihelion on July 07, 2010, at about 3.0 AU. This is the 65^th comet for the Siding Spring Survey and the 14^th for Garradd. (CBET 1981, subscription required MPEC 2009-U27)

2009 October 16

New Discovery!: R. E. Hill (LPL) reports his discovery of a new comet on Oct. 15, 2009, in the course of the Mt. Lemmon Survey. The MPC then identified prediscovery observations obtained by T. H. Bressi, J. V. Scotti and R. S. McMillan in the course of the Spacewatch survey on Sep. 17, 25, and 29. The latter two had already been received the minor planet designation 2009 SK₂₈₀. The orbit for the 19.5^m comet P/2009 SK₂₈₀ (Spacewatch-Hill) indicates perihelion already on Apr. 22, 2009, at about 4.2 AU. The period is about 10.5 years. This is the 41^st comet for Spacewatch and the 28^th comet for the Mt. Lemmon Survey, and the 17^th for Hill. (CBET 1975, subscription required MPEC 2009-U02)

2009 October 15

New Discovery!: An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on Oct. 14, 2009, in the course of the LINEAR survey has been found cometary after placement on the NEO Confirmation Page by L. Buzzi (Varese), E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill), W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory), and R. Miles (Faulkes Telescope North). The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 T3 (LINEAR) shows perihelion on Jan. 7, 2010, at about 2.3 AU. This is the 191^st comet discovery for LINEAR. (IAUC 9083, subscription required, MPEC 2009-T56)

2009 October 13

New Discovery!: R. Stoss (Visnjan) reports his discovery of a new comet on images taken by J. Nomen on Oct. 12, 2009, in the course of the amateur La Sagra Sky Survey (LSSS). After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page R. Miles (Stourton Caundle) confirmed the cometary nature of the 17^m object. The MPC then identified prediscovery observations by Catalina of Sep. 18, and 25, and of Oct. 9, 2009. The orbit for comet P/2009 T2 (La Sagra) shows perihelion on Jan. 12, 2010, at about 1.75 AU. The period is about 20.9 years. This is the 5^th amateur comet discovery in 2009. (IAUC 9081, subscription required, MPEC 2009-T39)

2009 October 11

New Discovery!: R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on Oct. 09, 2009, in the course of the Siding Spring Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page A. C. Gilmore and P. M. Kilmartin (Mt. John), R. Ligustri (remotely from near Moorook), D. Chestnov (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory), and C. Jacques and E. Pimentel (Belo Horizonte) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 17.5^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 T1 (McNaught) shows perihelion on Mar. 25, 2009, at about 5.6 AU. This is the 64^th comet for the Siding Spring Survey and the 53^rd for McNaught. (IAUC 9080, subscription required, MPEC 2009-T36)
Comet P/2009 QG₃₁ received the name P/2009 QG₃₁ (La Sagra). (IAUC 9079, subscription required)
New permanent comet numberings:
226P/Pigott-LINEAR-Kowalski = P/1783 W1 = P/2003 A1 = P/2009 R2
227P/Catalina-LINEAR = P/2004 Ew₃₈ = P/2009 S4
(IAUC 9079, subscription required)

2009 September 28

New Discovery!: An apparently asteroidal object discovered on Aug. 19, 2009, in the course of the amateur La Sagra Sky Survey (LSSS) has been found cometary by A. F. Tubbiolo and R. S. McMillan (Spacewatch), E. Bryssinck (remotely from Tzec Maun), F. Hormuth (Calar Alto), G. Muler ('Faulkes Telescope North'), G. Sostero, E. Guido, P. Camilleri, M. Jäger, W. Vollmann, and E. Prosperi (remotely from Skylive-Grove Creek Observatory), and R. Ligustri (Udine). The available positions and prediscovery observations of August 16, by Catalina showed already in early September that the orbit is comet-like. The orbital elements for the still nameless 18^m comet P/2009 QG₃₁ show perihelion on Oct. 10, 2009, at about 2.15 AU. The period is about 6.77 years. This is the first comet discovery from Spain since C/1985 T1 (Thiele). (IAUC 9078, subscription required)
Recovery!: J. V. Scotti (LPL) reports his recovery of comet P/2004 EW₃₈ on three nights during Sep. 21-23, 2009. The correction to the prediction on MPC 59600 is +0.02 day. The 22^m comet P/2009 S4 (Catalina-LINEAR) will pass perihelion on Sep. 3, 2010, at about 1.8 AU. The period is about 6.80 years.
With the help of the linked orbit M. Meyer (Limburg) identified six observations of this comet obtained in January 1997, in the course of the Haleakala-NAET survey. (IAUC 9077, subscription required, MPEC 2009-S126)

2009 September 28

New Discovery!: An apparently asteroidal object discovered on Sep. 24, 2009, in the course of the Mt. Lemmon Survey has been found cometary by W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge). The first and preliminary parabolic orbital elements for the 20.5^m comet C/2009 S3 (Lemmon) indicate perihelion on Dec. 25, 2011, at about 6.7 AU. This is the 27^th comet for the Mt. Lemmon Survey. (IAUC 9076, subscription required, MPEC 2009-S122)

2009 September 25

New Discovery!: R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on Sep. 20, 2009, in the course of the Siding Spring Survey. Prediscovery observations by the Siding Spring Survey of Aug. 3, 2009, were also found. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill) and W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 18.5^m object. The orbit for comet P/2009 S2 (McNaught) shows perihelion on June 23, 2009, at about 2.2 AU. The period is about 8.5 years. This is the 63^th comet for the Siding Spring Survey and the 52^nd for McNaught. (IAUC 9075, subscription required, MPEC 2009-S90)

2009 September 22

New Discovery!: A. R. Gibbs reports his discovery of a new comet on Sep. 20, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill), H. Sato (remotely from near Mayhill), R. Miles (Faulkes Telescope North), and L. Buzzi (Varese) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 18.5^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet P/2009 S1 (Gibbs) indicates perihelion already on Jul. 24, 2009, at about 2.4 AU. The period is about 7.0 years. This is the 78^th comet discovery for Catalina and the 14^th for Gibbs. (IAUC 9074, subscription required, MPEC 2009-S70)

2009 September 13

M. Meyer (Limburg) has detected a trail of comet P/2009 R2 (Pigott-LINEAR-Kowalski) in an AAOR (DSSII) red plate of October 29, 1995. A linkage and 1995 elements can be found in Nakano Note 1827.

2009 September 12

Re-Discovery!: R. A. Kowalski reported the discovery of a new comet on Sep. 10, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page P. Birtwhistle (Great Shefford), E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill), and G. Hug (Scranton) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 17.5^m object, then designated P/2009 R2. While still on the NEOCP, D. Chestnov (Moscow) was able to link these observations with comet P/2003 A1 (LINEAR, which also meant that the comet was off by over one month from the prediction, corresponding to 15.4 degrees in right ascension and 8.1 degrees in declination, due to a close approach to 0.0605 AU to Jupiter in September 2006.
Already in 2003 it was suggested but not unambiguously demonstrated that P/2003 A1 = D/1783 W1 (Pigott). Now this linkage seems to be proven. An orbit published by B. G. Marsden satisfies 14 of the observations of 1783, to within 10' in each coordinate.
Comet P/1783 W1 = 2003 A1 = 2009 R2 (Pigott-LINEAR-Kowalski) already passed perihelion already on May 11, 2009, at about 1.77 AU. The period is about 7.30 years. (IAUC 9072, subscription required, IAUC 9073, subscription required, MPEC 2009-R40)
New permanent comet numberings:
223P/Skiff = P/2002 S1 = P/2009 L18
224P/LINEAR-NEAT = P/2003 XD₁₀ = P/2009 Q2
225P/LINEAR = P/2002 T1 = P/2009 Q3
(IAUC 9073, subscription required)

2009 September 10

New Discovery!: R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on Sep. 9, 2009, in the course of the Siding Spring Survey. T. Spahr and B. G. Marsden (MPC) then identified predicovery observations by G. J. Garradd and McNaught of July 20, and Aug. 1, and 18. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page M. Busch, R. Kresken, J. Kuusela, and Z. Sodnik (European Space Agency's Optical Ground Station, Tenerife), and E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 17.5^m object. The orbit for comet C/2009 R1 (McNaught) shows perihelion on July 2, 2010, at about 0.4 AU. The comet may reach 6^m but will be badly placed at small elongations. This is the 62^nd comet for the Siding Spring survey and the 51^st for McNaught. (IAUC 9071, subscription required, MPEC 2009-R33)

2009 September 6

Further astrometry has shown that also comet 2009 Q4 is of short period. The latest orbit for comet P/2009 Q4 (Boattini) shows perihelion on Nov. 21, 2009, at about 1.3 AU. The period is about 5.0 years. (MPEC 2009-R30)

2009 September 6

Further astrometry has shown that comet 2009 Q5 is of short period. The latest orbit for comet P/2009 Q5 (McNaught) shows perihelion on Sep. 20, 2009, at about 2.9 AU. The period is about 18.1 years. (MPEC 2009-R22)
S. Nakano has identified comet C2009 P2 (Boattini) with apparent minor planet detections of 2008. The comet is identical with the object 2008 TQ₁₃₇, observed on Oct. 8, 2008, in the course of the Mt. Lemmon Survey, and on Oct. 9, 2008, by Spacewatch. It is also identical with 2008 VP₂₈, observed on Nov. 2, 2009, by Catalina and on Nov. 8, by Mt. Lemmon. (Nakano Note 1825)

2009 September 1

New Discovery!: R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on Aug. 31, 2009, in the course of the Siding Spring Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page R. Holmes (Charleston), E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill), H. Sato (remotely from near Mayhill), and R. Miles (Haleakala) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 16.5^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 Q5 (McNaught) shows perihelion on Mar. 11, 2010, at about 1.6 AU. This is the 61^st comet for the Siding Spring survey and the 50^th for McNaught. (IAUC 9070, subscription required, MPEC 2009-R02)

2009 August 31

New Discovery!: A. Boattini reports his discovery of a new comet on Aug. 26, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page R. Ligustri (remotely from near Mayhill) and J. V. Scotti (LPL Spacewatch) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 18.5^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 Q4 (Boattini) indicates perihelion on Nov. 1, 2009, at about 1.5 AU. The comet may be of short period. This is the 76^th comet discovery for Catalina and the 10^th for Boattini. (IAUC 9069, subscription required, MPEC 2009-Q84)

2009 August 30

New Discovery!: R. E. Hill reports his discovery of a new comet on Aug. 27, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page L. Buzzi (Varese), G. Hug (Scranton), E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill), H. Sato (remotely from near Mayhill), K. Kadota (Ageo), J. Lacruz (Madrid), F. Fratev (Sofia), and D. Chestnov (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 17.5^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet P/2009 Q1 (Hill), which includes prediscovery positions by Spacewacth of Aug. 16, indicates perihelion already on July 19, 2009, at about 2.8 AU. This is the 75^th comet discovery for Catalina and the 16^th for Hill. (IAUC 9067, subscription required, MPEC 2009-Q67)
Recovery!: J. V. Scotti (LPL) reports the recovery of comet P/2003 XD₁₀ on Aug. 27 - 29, with the Spacewatch II reflector at Kitt Peak. The stellar appearing comet was as bright as about 21.5-22.0^m. The correction to the prediction on MPC 59598 is Delta(T) = -0.10 day. Comet P/2009 Q2 (LINEAR-NEAT) will pass perihelion on Jan. 31, 2010, at about 1.99 AU. The period is about 6.29 years. (IAUC 9068, subscription required, MPEC 2009-Q68)
Recovery!: J. V. Scotti (LPL) also reports the recovery of comet P/2002 T1 on Aug. 28 - 29, with the Spacewatch II reflector at Kitt Peak. The "softer" than the surrounding stars appearing comet was as bright as about 20.6-21.7^m. The correction to the prediction on MPC 56804 is Delta(T) = +0.04 day. Comet P/2009 Q3 (LINEAR) passed perihelion already on Aug. 25, 2009, at about 1.31 AU. The period is about 6.96 years. (IAUC 9068, subscription required, MPEC 2009-Q69)

2009 August 23

From IAUC 9066:
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory announces that the 2009 Edgar Wilson Award for the discovery of comets (cf. IAUCs 6936, 8962) is being divided among the following five individuals for five different comets: Robert E. Holmes, Jr. (Charleston, IL, U.S.A.) for C/2008 N1 (cf. IAUC 8959); Stanislav Maticic (Crni Vrh Observatory, Slovenia) for C/2008 Q1 (cf. IAUC 8966); Michel Ory (Delemont, Switzerland) for P/2008 Q2 (cf. IAUC 8967); Koichi Itagaki (Yamagata, Japan) for C/2009 E1 (cf. IAUC 9026); and Dae-am Yi (Yeongwol-kun, Gangwon-do, Korea) for C/2009 F6 (cf. IAUC 9035). (IAUC 9066, subscription required)

2009 August 19

Recovery!: G. Sostero, E. Guido, P. Camilleri, and E. Prosperi report the recovery of comet P/2002 S1 on June 15, and Aug. 18, remotely from Skylive-Grove Creek Obs. (Australia). The stellar appearing comet was as bright as about 20-20.6^m and 19.5-19.9^m, respectively. The corrections to the predictions on MPC 59600 and in the 2009/2009 Comet Handbook are Delta(T) = -0.16 and -0.19 day, respectively. Comet P/2009 L18 (Skiff) will pass perihelion on Aug. 14, 2010, at about 2.4 AU. The period is about 8.45 years. (CBET 1913, subscription required)

2009 August 18

Further astrometry shows that comet 2009 O3 is of short period. Comet P/2009 O3 (Hill) passed perihelion on May 17, 2009, at about 2.4 AU. The period is about 21.6 years. (MPEC 2009-Q05)
New permanent periodic comet numbering: 222P/LINEAR = P/2009 MB₉ = P/2004 X1
(IAUC 9062, subscription required)
New Discovery!: A. Boattini reports his discovery of a new comet on Aug. 15, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page P. Birtwhistle (Great Shefford), R. Holmes (Charleston), R. Ligustri (Talmassons), F. Fratev (Sofia), and E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 19^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 P2 (Boattini) indicates perihelion on July 24, 2010, at about 6.1 AU. This is the 74^th comet discovery for Catalina and the 9^th for Boattini. (IAUC 9063, subscription required, MPEC 2009-Q14)

2009 August 16

New Discovery!: R. H. McNaught reports the discovery by G. J. Garradd of a new comet on Aug. 13, 2009, in the course of the Siding Spring Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page P. Camilleri, G. Sostero, E. Guido, and E. Prosperi (remotely from Grove Creek Obs.), and W. Robledo (El Condor Obs.) were able to obtain follow-up observations. The first and very uncertain orbit for the 17.5^m comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) shows perihelion on Aug. 10, 2011, at about 1.3 AU. The comet may then reach at least 8^m if the orbit turns out to be correct. This is the 60^th comet for the Siding Spring survey and the 13^th for Garradd. (CBET 1908, subscription required, MPEC 2009-P54)

2009 August 05

Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):

Designation  Group   Discoverer     Notes
C/2009 M7    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 M8    ---     R. Kracht
C/2009 N1    ---     B. Zhou
C/2009 N2    Kreutz  M. Kusiak
C/2009 N3    ---     B. Zhou

Official SOHO comets: 1674 (MPEC 2009-P20)

2009 August 03

Recovery!: R. H. McNaught (Siding Spring Survey) reports that observations of the Siding Spring discovery 2009 MB₉ on Aug. 2, and 3, showed a small coma. H. Sato (Tokyo) then noted the similarity of the orbital elements with that of comet P/2004 X1 (LINEAR). The linkage of both objects shows a correction to the prediction on MPC 56804 of -2.2 days. The comet will pass perihelion on Sep. 1, 2009, at about 0.78 AU. The period is 4.83 years. (CBET 1893, subscription required, MPEC 2009-P09)

2009 August 02

Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):

Designation  Group   Discoverer     Notes
C/2009 L16   Kreutz  M. Kusiak
C/2009 L17   Kreutz  M. Uchina
C/2009 M1    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 M2    Kreutz  M. Kusiak
C/2009 M3    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 M4    Kreutz  R. Kracht
C/2009 M5    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 M6    Kreutz  M. Uchina

Official SOHO comets: 1669 (MPEC 2009-P01, MPEC 2009-P02)

2009 July 31

New Discovery!: R. E. Hill reports another discovery of a new comet on July 30, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page Y. Ikari (Moriyama), F. Fratev (Zvezdno Obshtestvo Observatory), J. A. Henriquez (Tenerife), J. E. McGaha (Tucson), W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge), and G. Hug (Scranton), confirmed the cometary nature of the 16^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 O4 (Hill) indicates perihelion on Dec. 1, 2009, at about 2.9 AU. This is the 73^rd comet discovery for Catalina and the 15^th for Hill. (IAUC 9059, subscription required, MPEC 2009-O56)

2009 July 30

New Discovery!: An apparently asteroidal object, discovered on July 27, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey has been found to be cometary by J. V. Scotti (Kitt Peak) and W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge). The first and preliminary orbit for the 19^m comet C/2009 O2 (Catalina) indicates perihelion on Mar. 24, 2010, at about 0.70 AU. The comet may then reach 9^m. This is the 71^st comet discovery for Catalina. (IAUC 9057, subscription required, MPEC 2009-O53)
New Discovery!: R. E. Hill reports his discovery of a new comet on July 29, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page P. Birtwhistle (Great Shefford), L. Buzzi (Varese), E. Prosperi, P. Camilleri, E. Guido, and G. Sostero (Larciano), R. Holmes and H. Devore (Charleston), E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill), J. E. McGaha (Tucson), and W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge) confirmed the cometary nature of the 18^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 O3 (Hill) indicates perihelion already on Apr. 21, 2009, at about 1.9 AU. The comet may be of short period. This is the 72^nd comet discovery for Catalina and the 14^th for Hill. (IAUC 9058, subscription required, MPEC 2009-O54)

2009 July 23

Further STEREO comets (all named STEREO):

Designation  Group   Discoverer     Notes
C/2009 A8    Kreutz  A. Watson
C/2009 A9    Kreutz  R. Matson
C/2009 A10   Kreutz  A. Watson
C/2009 O1    Kreutz  M. Kusiak

Official STEREO comets: 21 (MPEC 2009-O25)

2009 July 22

Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):

Designation  Group   Discoverer     Notes
C/2009 K11   Kreutz  M. Uchina
C/2009 K12   Kreutz  M. Kusiak
C/2009 K13   Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 K14   Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 L3    Kreutz  R. Kracht
C/2009 L4    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 L5    Kreutz  R. Kracht
C/2009 L6    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 L7    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 L8    Kracht  T. Hoffman     34^th member of the Kracht group
C/2009 L9    Kreutz  G. Sun
C/2009 L10   Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 L11   Kreutz  M. Kusiak
C/2009 L12   Kreutz  M. Uchina
C/2009 L13   Kracht  R. Kracht      35^th member of the Kracht group
C/2009 L14   Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 L15   Kreutz  R. Matson

Official SOHO comets: 1663 (MPEC 2009-O18, MPEC 2009-O19, MPEC 2009-O21, (MPEC 2009-O22)

2009 July 16

Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):

Designation  Group   Discoverer     Notes
C/2009 J1    Kreutz  M. Uchina
C/2009 J2    Kreutz  M. Kusiak
C/2009 J3    Kreutz  T. Hoffman
C/2009 J4    Kreutz  M. Uchina
C/2009 J5    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 J6    Kreutz  R. Kracht
C/2009 J7    Kreutz  M. Kaluzny
C/2009 J8    Kreutz  M. Kusiak
C/2009 J9    Kreutz  M. Kusiak
C/2009 J10   Kreutz  R. Kracht
C/2009 J11   Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 J12   Marsden R. Kracht      34^th member of the Marsden group
C/2009 K6    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 K7    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 K8    Kreutz  M. Kusiak
C/2009 K9    Kreutz  M. Uchina
C/2009 K10   Kreutz  M. Uchina

Official SOHO comets: 1646 (MPEC 2009-N46, MPEC 2009-N47, MPEC 2009-N49, (MPEC 2009-N50)

2009 July 11

Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):

Designation  Group   Discoverer     Notes
C/2009 E5    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 F8    Kreutz  M. Uchina
C/2009 F9    Kreutz  H. Su
C/2009 F10   Kreutz  M. Uchina
C/2009 G2    Kreutz  H. Su
C/2009 G3    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 G4    Kreutz  A. Kubczak
C/2009 G5    Kreutz  H. Su
C/2009 G6    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 G7    Kreutz  A. Kubczak
C/2009 G8    ---     B. Zhou
C/2009 H3    Kreutz  M. Kusiak
C/2009 H4    Kreutz  M. Kusiak
C/2009 H5    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 H6    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 H7    Kreutz  R. Kracht
C/2009 H8    Kreutz  R. Matson

Official SOHO comets: 1629 (MPEC 2009-N29, MPEC 2009-N30, MPEC 2009-N33, (MPEC 2009-N34)

2009 July 01

Further SOHO comets (all named SOHO):

Designation  Group   Discoverer     Notes
C/2009 C4    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 C5    Kreutz  M. Kaluzny
C/2009 D2    Kreutz  B. Zhou
C/2009 D3    Kreutz  X. Ruan
C/2009 D4    Kreutz  T. Hoffman
C/2009 D5    Kreutz  M. Kusiak
C/2009 D6    Meyer   R. Kracht      98^th member of the Meyer group
C/2009 D7    Kreutz  M. Uchina
C/2009 D8    Meyer   B. Zhou        99^th member of the Meyer group
C/2009 E2    Kreutz  M. Kusiak/B. Zhou
C/2009 E3    Meyer   E. Banach     100^th member of the Meyer group
C/2009 E4    Kreutz  W. Xu

Official SOHO comets: 1612 (MPEC 2009-M54, MPEC 2009-M55, (MPEC 2009-N01)

2009 June 26

Further STEREO comets (all named STEREO):

Designation  Group   Discoverer     Notes
C/2009 B6    Kreutz  R. Matson
C/2009 B7    Kreutz  R. Matson
C/2009 C1    Kreutz  R. Kracht
C/2009 C2    Kreutz  K. Battams

Official STEREO comets: 17 (MPEC 2009-M37)

2009 June 17

New Discovery!: Rui Yang (Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China) and Xing Gao (Urumqi, Xinjiang, China) report their discovery of a new comet on June 15, 2009, in the course of their Xingming Sky Survey using a Canon 350D digital camera and a 10.7-cm f/2.8 lens at Yingming Obs., Mt. Nanshan. The 14^m comet was quickly confirmed by many observers after posting the object on the NEO Confirmation page, including E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill), L. Elenin (remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory), E. Prosperi and P. Camilleri (remotely from Grove Creek Observatory), M. Suzuki (remotely from Moorook), R. Ligustri (remotely from Moorook), and C. Jacques and E. Pimentel (also remotely from Moorook). The first and preliminary orbit for comet P/2009 L2 (Yang-Gao) indicates perihelion already on May 19, 2009, at about 1.3 AU. The period is about 6.6 years. This is the third amateur discovery in 2009, and the second for the Xingming Obs.
The comet might be visually as bright as 12-13^m. (IAUC 9052, subscription required, MPEC 2009-M05)
New permanent comet numberings:
221P/LINEAR = P/2009 L1 = P/2002 JN₁₆
(IAUC 9051, subscription required)

2009 June 04

Recovery!: L. Elenin (Lyubertsy) reports his recovery of comet P/2002 JN₁₆ (LINEAR) on June 1, and 3, remotely from Tzec Maun Observatory (near Mayhill). The recovery was confirmed by M. Schwartz (Tenagra Observatory, near Rio Rico) also on June 3. The 20^m comet P/2009 L1 (LINEAR) passed perihelion on Jan. 24, 2009, at about 1.78 AU. The period is about 6.49 years. The correction to the prediction on MPC 56802 and the 2008/09 Comet Handbook is -0.2 day. (CBET 1831, subscription required)
Italian amateur astronomer and comet discoverer Mauro V. Zanotta died in a skiing accident on May 24, 2009, in the Mt. Blanc area at the age of 46. Mauro was co-discoverer of comet C/1991 Y1 (Zanotta-Brewington). An obituary by David H. Levy can be found here.

2009 May 29

New Discovery!: R. H. McNaught reports his discovery of a new comet on May 27, 2009, in the course of the Siding Spring Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page C. Jacques and E. Pimentel (Belo Horizonte), and G. Sostero, E. Guido, P. Camilleri, and E. Prosperi (remotely from Skylive-Grove Creek Observatory) were able to confirm the cometary nature of the 17^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 K5 (McNaught) shows perihelion on Apr. 18, 2010, at about 1.4 AU. The comet may reach 9^m in 2010. This is the 59^th comet for the Siding Spring survey and the 49^th for McNaught. (IAUC 9050, subscription required, MPEC 2009-K67)

2009 May 28

New Discovery!: E. Beshore reports his discovery of a new comet in the course of the Mt. Lemmon Survey on May 26, 2009. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge) was able to confirm the cometary nature. The first and preliminary orbit for the 20^m comet C/2009 K3 (Beshore) shows perihelion on Jan. 9, 2011, at about 3.9 AU. This is the 26^th comet for the Mt. Lemmon survey and the 3^rd for Beshore. (IAUC 9047, subscription required, MPEC 2009-K62)
New Discovery!: A. R. Gibbs reports his discovery of a new comet on May 27, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page J. Young (Table Mountain), M. Pietschnig (Alter Satzberg), M. Jäger (Stixendorf), E. Guido and G. Sostero (remotely from near Mayhill), and C. Hergenrother (LPL) confirmed the cometary nature of the 16^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 K4 (Gibbs) indicates perihelion on Jun. 18, 2009, at about 1.6 AU. The comet may be periodic. This is the 70^th comet discovery for Catalina and the 13^th for Gibbs. (IAUC 9048, subscription required, MPEC 2009-K63)
Additional astrometry has shown that comet 2009 K1 is indeed of short period. The latest orbit for comet P/2009 K1 (Gibbs) shows a perihelion on Jun. 25, 2009, at about 1.32 AU. The period is about 7.03 years. (MPEC 2009-K48)

2009 May 19

New Discovery!: An apparently asteroidal object discovered on May 18, 2009, in the course of the Catalina Sky Survey has been found cometary by follow-up observers after placement on the NEO Confirmation Page. W. H. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge), J. Young (Table Mountain), L. Bittesini, D. Di Maria, E. Pettarin, and F. Piani (Farra D'Isonzo), P. Birtwhistle (Great Shefford), and E. Guido (remotely from near Mayhill) remarked about the cometary nature of the 19^m object. The first and preliminary orbit for comet C/2009 K2 (Catalina) indicates perihelion on Aug. 18, 2010, at about 3.8 AU. This is the 69^th comet discovery for Catalina. (IAUC 9045, subscription required, MPEC 2009-K20)

2009 May 18

New Discovery!: A. R. Gibbs reports his discovery of a new comet in the course of the Mt. Lemmon Survey on May 16, 2009. After placement on the NEO Confirmation Page S. Foglia (Novara Veveri, Italy) and R. Holmes (Charleston) were able to confirm the cometary nature. Pre-Discovery images obtained on Apr. 24, 2009, also by the Mt. Lemmon Survey, were also identified. The first and very preliminary orbit for the 19^m comet C/2009 K1 (Gibbs) shows perihelion on Jun. 15, 2009, at about 1.5 AU. It is most likely that the comet is of short period. This is the 25^th comet for the Mt. Lemmon survey and the 12^th for Gibbs. (IAUC 9044, subscription required, MPEC 2009-K12)
New permanent comet numberings:
218P/LINEAR = P/2009 F7 = P/2003 H4
219P/LINEAR = P/2009 H1 = P/2002 LZ₁₁
220P/McNaught = P/2009 H2 = P/2004 K2
(IAUC 9043, subscription required)

2009 May 04

Recovery!: Periodic comet P/2004 K2 (McNaught) has been incidentally recovered in the course of the Spacewatch survey on Apr. 28, 2009, by T. H. Bressi, and identified by automatic procedures at the MPC. Subsequently, independent recovery observations were reported on May 1, and 3, by G. Muler, J. M. Ruiz, and R. Naves Observatorio Nazaret, Lanzarote). The 20^m comet P/2009 H2 (McNaught) will pass perihelion on Dec. 15, 2009, at about 1.55 AU. The period is about 5.50 years. The correction to the prediction on MPC 56805 and the 2008/09 Comet Handbook is -0.08 day. (IAUC 9040, subscription required)
R. Kracht (Elmshorn) was able to link the Kracht group comets C/1996 X3, C/2002 S7, and C/2008 N4. While in MPEC 2008-P60 it was not clear whether 1996 X3, X6, or X5 would be the correct comet (there incorrectly given as S3..S6), the use of non-gravitational forces shows C/1996 X3 the correct comet. (MPEC 2009-J14)