Comet Bradfield (1975p)

The following precise positions have been reported: 1975/76 UT R. A. (1950) Decl. m1 Observer Dec. 8.08889 15 47 00.60 -45 27 55.7 Hers Jan. 1.37882 19 05 03.8 - 0 40 33 7.4 Seki 1.38247 19 05 05.4 - 0 40 08 " 2.73959 19 13 19.78 + 1 42 29.2 Codina 2.74411 19 13 22.02 + 1 43 07.5 " 7.36632 19 41 59.83 + 9 22 58.8 7.5 Urata 7.36713 19 42 00.14 + 9 23 00.5 " 8.73692 19 50 42.4 +11 31 51 8 Milet 8.73830 19 50 43.1 +11 31 56 " J. Hers (Randburg, near Johannesburg). 20-cm reflector. T. Seki (Kochi Observatory, Geisei Station). 40-cm reflector. J. M. Codina (Fabra Observatory, Barcelona). Computer: N. Torras. T. Urata (JCPM Yakiimo Station). Long. = -138o27'51", Lat. = +34o57'22" (correction to IAUC 2896). From Nihondaira Obs. Circ. No. 722. B. Milet (Nice Observatory). R. L. Waterfield, Woolston Observatory, writes that a photograph taken in fairly bright twilight on Jan. 3.75 UT shows the main tail about 6' long in p.a. 10o and an antitail (nearly as bright as the main tail at its root) about 3' long in p.a. 165-170o. Selected total visual magnitude estimates: 1975 Dec. 31.72 UT, 6.7 (S. Furia, Varese, Italy, 7 x 50 binoculars); 1976 Jan. 2.72, 6.5 (Furia); 9.10, 8.0 (M. J. Mayo and J. Truxton, Agoura, California, 25-cm reflector); 10.97, 7.9 (J. Bortle, Brooks Observatory, 15 x 80 binoculars); 12.02, 8.4 (C. Sherrod, North Little Rock, Arkansas, 15-cm refractor); 14.02, 8.7 (Sherrod); 14.94, 8.8 (S. O'Meara, Harvard College Observatory, 6-cm finder). Corrigendum. On IAUC 2869, the observer on Nov. 13 should have been P. Jekabsons, not C. Jekabsons.