New Comet: P/2013 A2 (SCOTTI)

Cbet nr. 3376, issued on 2013, January 08, announces the discovery of a new comet (discovery magnitude 19.5) by J. Scotti with the 691 Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak, on images obtained with the 0.9-m f/3 reflector + CCD on January 06.2. The new comet has been designated P/2013 A2 (SCOTTI).

We performed some follow-up measurements of this object, while it was still on the neocp. Stacking of 6 R-filtered exposures, 60-sec each, obtained remotely, from the Haleakala-Faulkes Telescope North on 2013, Jan. 08.6, through a 2.0-m f/10.0 Ritchey-Chretien + CCD, shows that this object appears "soft" compared to the nearby field stars of similar brightness and elongated toward PA 290. Our observations combined with those of Peter Phelps of Hazelmere School in the UK, using Faulkes South later in the day helped confirm the nature of the object.

Our confirmation image (click on the image for a bigger version):

M.P.E.C. 2013-A45 assigns the following preliminary elliptical orbital elements to comet P/2013 A2: T 2013 May  16.14; e= 0.57; Peri. = 182.74; q = 1.98 AU;  Incl.= 3.89.

Our confirmation image of comet P/2013 A2 (SCOTTI) was featured on BBC StarGazing Live on January 10, 2013. 

by Nick Howes & Ernesto Guido