Comet C/2013 L2 (Catalina)
Abstract
An apparently asteroidal object discovered by R. A. Kowalski with the Catalina Sky Survey 0.68-m Schmidt telescope (discovery observations tabulated below) that was subsequently posted on the Minor Planet Center's NEOCP webpage has been reported to show cometary appearance by astrometric observers elsewhere. S. Foglia writes that 90 stacked 15-s images taken by R. Holmes (Ashmore, IL, USA; 0.81-m f/4 astrograph) on June 2.4 UT reveal a round coma 8" in diameter with a wide tail 20" long in p.a. 158 deg. H. Sato (Tokyo, Japan; remotely with an iTelescope.net 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph located near Mayhill, NM, U.S.A.; June 3.3) notes a coma of diameter 6"-8" with no obvious tail in seven stacked 60-s exposures; the V-band magnitude as measured within a circular aperture of radius 4".9 was 18.7. J. V. Scotti (Spacewatch 1.8-m telescope, Kitt Peak; June 4.4) notes the object to be an obvious comet with coma diameter 7" and a 0'.65 tail in p.a. 161 deg. E. Guido, Castellammare di Stabia, Italy, writes that eighteen stacked 30-s R-band exposures obtained remotely by N. Howes and himself with the 2.0-m "Faulkes Telescope North" at Haleakala on June 4.5 show a sharp central condensation surrounded by a faint coma nearly 4" in diameter. K. Sarneczky (Konkoly Observatory, 0.60-m Schmidt telescope; June 8.0) measures a 7" coma and a 50"-long thin tail in p.a. about 160 deg on three stacked 120-s unfiltered images. Observations taken by G. Masi and F. Nocentini with a 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector at Ceccano, Italy, on June 9.0 show a tail 20" long in p.a. 150 deg with a smaller, round coma in co-added images. 2013 UT R.A. (2000) Decl. Mag. Observer June 2.29770 18 11 39.55 +28 34 11.1 19.6 Kowalski 2.30461 18 11 39.01 +28 34 14.1 19.1 " 2.31147 18 11 38.68 +28 34 19.2 18.5 " 2.35873 18 11 35.65 +28 34 41.9 " 2.37273 18 11 34.74 +28 34 50.2 19.5 " The available astrometry, the following preliminary parabolic orbital elements by G. V. Williams, and an ephemeris appear on MPEC 2013-L41. T = 2013 Apr. 10.2963 TT Peri. = 215.7069 Node = 266.6550 2000.0 q = 1.146343 AU Incl. = 71.5933
- Publication:
-
Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams
- Pub Date:
- June 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013CBET.3548....1K