Comet C/2003 L1 (Scotti)

J. V. Scotti, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, reports the discovery of a comet on CCD images taken with the Spacewatch 0.9-m f/3 reflector at Kitt Peak (discovery observation below), showing a coma of diameter 6" and a faint tail about 0'.62 long in p.a. 273 deg. Images taken by A. S. Descour on June 5.3 UT with the 1.8-m f/2.7 Spacewatch reflector also show a tail, and June 7.2 images by Scotti with the larger instrument show the tail 0'.30 long in p.a. 273 deg. 2003 UT R.A. (2000) Decl. m1 June 4.20655 14 48 10.53 -15 24 45.0 19.7 The available astrometry, the following preliminary parabolic orbital elements, and an ephemeris appear on MPEC 2003-L33. The comet is very probably of short period. T = 2002 Jan. 11.952 TT Peri. = 270.575 Node = 226.498 2000.0 q = 2.66888 AU Incl. = 12.403