Comet C/2011 K1 (Schwartz-Holvorcem)

A comet that shows a coma and tail in co-added images in a crowded star field, in images taken around May 26.27 and 27.3 UT with the Tenagra III 0.41-m astrograph, was discovered by Paulo R. Holvorcem (Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil) and Michael Schwartz (Patagonia, AZ, U.S.A.); their follow-up images taken during May 28.24-28.31 with a 0.81-m telescope show a coma diameter of 10" with a broad, 13"-long tail toward p.a. 37 deg (their discovery observation is tabulated below). Following posting on the Minor Planet Center's NEOCP webpage, other CCD astrometrists have commented on the object's cometary appearance. R-band images taken by W. H. Ryan and E. V. Ryan (Magdalena Ridge Observatory 2.4-m f/8.9 reflector) on May 28.3 and 31.6 show a tail in p.a. about 45 deg. L. Buzzi (Varese, Italy, 0.38-m reflector) finds a faint, round, 10" outer coma on May 29.0 and 30.3. Stacked images taken by R. Holmes (Ashmore, IL, U.S.A., 0.81-m astrograph) on May 30.3 are found by T. Vorobjov and S. Foglia to show a distinct 25" tail in p.a. 36 deg and a round coma 5" across. 2011 UT R.A. (2000) Decl. Mag. Observer May 26.25521 17 07 31.83 -16 40 15.9 19.5 Schwartz The available astrometry, preliminary orbital elements by G. V. Williams (T = 2011 Apr. 19.3064 TT, q = 3.352986 AU, e = 0.932942, Peri. = 166.6276, Node = 70.7828, i = 122.0377, equinox 2000.0), and an ephemeris appear on MPEC 2011-L04.