Comet 1997 A1

E. F. Helin, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, on behalf of the Near-Earth-Asteroid Tracking Team (cf. IAUC 6341), reports the discovery of a comet on images obtained by the on-site USAF/Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance Team in Hawaii. Available precise positions: 1997 UT R.A. (2000) Decl. m1 Observer Jan. 10.51495 9 39 18.96 +16 26 18.9 18.6 Helin 10.52334 9 39 17.97 +16 26 28.9 18.8 " 10.53174 9 39 17.04 +16 26 38.6 18.9 " 11.33935 9 37 46.18 +16 42 31.0 18.9 Rabinowitz 11.34959 9 37 45.11 +16 42 43.9 " E. F. Helin, K. J. Lawrence and S. Pravdo (Haleakala-NEAT/GEODSS). 1-m f/2.2 Ritchey-Chretien + CCD. Images clearly diffuse. D. L. Rabinowitz (Table Mountain Observatory). 0.6-m reflector + CCD. Near limiting magnitude of exposure. 15" coma, extending asymmetrically to the south.