Comet C/2014 W7 (Christensen)
Abstract
E. J. Christensen reports his discovery of a comet on CCD images taken with the Mount Lemmon 1.5-m reflector (discovery observations tabulated below), the object displaying a very slightly diffuse aspect, with a coma about 3" in size and a hint of an extension to the northwest, as seen in four 30-s survey images; four 45-s confirming exposures taken in twilight confirm the slightly diffuse nature (especially toward the northwest) on Nov. 22.54. Four follow-up 60-s exposures taken by Christensen on Nov. 24.5 show the comet to be diffuse and slightly elongated toward the west, with a coma diameter of approximately 6" that is notably softer than field stars of similar magnitude. 2014 UT R.A. (2000) Decl. Mag. Observer Nov. 22.51937 12 16 22.83 + 3 01 40.0 19.2 Christensen 22.52413 12 16 23.39 + 3 01 47.2 19.6 " 22.52889 12 16 23.96 + 3 01 54.3 19.5 " 22.53366 12 16 24.51 + 3 02 01.6 19.7 " After the object was posted on the Minor Planet Center's PCCP webpage, H. Sato, Tokyo, Japan, found that eleven stacked 60-s exposures taken with an 0.51-m f/6.8 astrograph (+ luminance filter) on Nov. 23.5 show a moderately condensed round coma 10" in diameter (w-band magnitude 19.3, as measured within a circular aperture of radius 6".5), with no tail.
- Publication:
-
Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams
- Pub Date:
- November 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014CBET.4027....1C