Comet C/2010 E5 (Scotti)
Abstract
J. V. Scotti, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, reports his discovery of a diffuse comet with a short tail extending toward the northwest on CCD mosaic images obtained with the 0.9-m f/3 Spacewatch reflector at Kitt Peak (discovery observation tabulated below). Nine co-added exposures by Scotti on Mar. 14.3 UT with the Spacewatch 1.8-m reflector show a faint tail clearly visible extending 0'.62 in p.a. 304 deg and a small, slightly diffuse coma of diameter 8".4; stacked images on Mar. 15 show a coma diameter of 10".3 and a tail 1'.09 long in p.a. 306 deg (the end of the tail in a less-crowded star region than on Mar. 14). T. H. Bressi finds that images with the same telescope on Mar. 17.4 show a tail in p.a. 320 deg. After posting on the Minor Planet Center's 'NEOCP' webpage, numerous other CCD astrometrists have commented on the object's cometary appearance. P. Holvorcem, Campinas, Brazil, writes that three 270-s co-added exposures taken with the Tenagra 0.81-m telescope around Mar. 15.36 show a coma about 7" in diameter and a narrow, straight, 17" tail toward p.a. 291 deg, while three co-added 360-s exposures taken around Mar. 17.34 under poorer seeing show a coma of diameter about 9" and a 5" tail toward p.a. 280 deg. L. Buzzi (Varese, Italy, 0.60-m reflector, Mar. 17.0-17.1) notes that stacked images reveal a 10" condensed coma and a tail at least 25" long in p.a. 305 deg. S. Foglia reports that 18 stacked 60-s images taken by R. Holmes (Ashmore, IL, U.S.A., 0.61-m reflector, Mar. 17.24-17.29) show an 8" coma and a 40" tail in p.a. 315 deg. R-band images taken with the Magdalena Ridge 2.4-m reflector by W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan on Mar. 17.4 show a distinct tail at p.a. about 300 deg. L. Elenin finds that six stacked 300-s unfiltered CCD exposures taken with a 0.36-m astrograph at Tzec Maun Observatory (near Mayhill, NM, USA) on Mar. 17.44 show a 4" diffuse coma and a 3".5 tail in p.a. 315 deg. Twenty 120-s unfiltered exposures taken remotely by E. Guido and G. Sostero with a 0.25-m reflector near Mayhill on Mar. 17.5 show a coma nearly 10" in diameter with a broad tail about 25" long toward the northwest. 2010 UT R.A. (2000) Decl. Mag. Observer Mar. 14.23418 12 40 39.80 + 1 31 55.1 20.1 Scotti The available astrometry, the following preliminary parabolic orbital elements, and an ephemeris appear on MPEC 2010-F14. T = 2011 Jan. 20.812 TT Peri. = 218.367 Node = 13.857 2000.0 q = 4.02520 AU Incl. = 27.867
- Publication:
-
International Astronomical Union Circular
- Pub Date:
- March 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010IAUC.9127....1S