Comet 324P/2015 K3 (la Sagra)
Abstract
Scott S. Sheppard, Carnegie Institution for Science; and Henry H. Hsieh, Academia Sinica and Planetary Science Institute, report that the main-asteroid-belt object known as comet 324P/2015 K3 = P/2010 R2 (cf. IAUC 9169, CBET 4107) has become active again as it approaches perihelion. A tapered tail was observed in two 400-s VR-band CCD exposures taken with the 6.5-m Magellan-Baade telescope at Las Campanas on May 22 UT, and it was confirmed to be present in three 180-s r'-band CCD exposures taken with the 3.6-m Canada- France-Hawaii Telescope on Mauna Kea on May 23. The tail extended about 6" from the nuclear condensation in position angle about 251 deg. This is the fourth active minor planet in the main asteroid belt to exhibit recurrent activity near perihelion after being inactive around aphelion.
- Publication:
-
International Astronomical Union Circular
- Pub Date:
- August 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015IAUC.9276....2S