IAUC nr.9197, issued on 2011, Feb. 12, announced the discovery of a new comet (discovery magnitude 17) by R. H. McNaught through the 0.5-m Uppsala Schmidt telescope at Siding Spring, on images obtained on 2011, Feb. 10.7. The new comet has been designated C/2011 C1 (McNAUGHT).
After posting on the Minor Planet Center's 'NEOCP' webpage, other CCD astrometrists have also commented on the object's cometary appearance. We performed some follow-up measurements of this object while it was still listed in the NEO-CP, on 2011 Feb. 11.5, remotely from the GRAS Observatory (near Mayhill, NM) through a 0.25-m, f/3.4 reflector + CCD.
Our confirmation image shows a diffused coma nearly 20-arcsec in diameter, and a broad tail about 30-arcsec long toward PA 275.
Our confirmation image shows a diffused coma nearly 20-arcsec in diameter, and a broad tail about 30-arcsec long toward PA 275.
Our confirming image (click for a bigger version):
MPEC 2011-C79 assignes the following preliminary parabolic orbital elements to comet C/2011 C1: T = 2011 Apr. 17.953 TT Peri. = 84.440; q = 0.88341 AU; Incl. = 16.831
According to COCD webpage, this is the 58th comet discovery for McNaught!!
by Ernesto Guido & Giovanni Sostero
well-done. cheers V.
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