Comet P/2002 R2 (Shoemaker 3)
Abstract
S. Nakano, Sumoto, Japan, reports the CCD recovery of comet P/1986 A1 (= 1986a = 1985 XVIII) independently by T. Oribe (1.03-m reflector, Saji; diffuse coma of diameter 10", hint of tail toward the west on R-band images) and by A. Nakamura (0.60-m reflector, Kuma; diffuse with some central condensation, coma diameter 12", unfiltered images). 2002 UT R.A. (2000) Decl. m1 Observer Sept. 9.77985 6 15 33.06 +20 09 10.5 18.0 Oribe 12.80936 6 22 26.57 +20 10 23.9 18.6 Nakamura The indicated correction to the prediction on MPC 34423 is Delta(T) = -0.14 day. Additional positions, the following orbital elements by Nakano (from 75 observations, 1986-2002), and an ephemeris appear on MPEC 2002-R69: Epoch = 2003 Jan. 1.0 TT T = 2002 Dec. 14.88307 TT Peri. = 14.92931 e = 0.7268084 Node = 97.27277 2000.0 q = 1.8136046 AU Incl. = 6.38642 a = 6.6385811 AU n = 0.05762238 P = 17.105 years
- Publication:
-
International Astronomical Union Circular
- Pub Date:
- September 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002IAUC.7969....2N