C/1998 G1 (LINEAR)

Copyright © 1998 by Akimasa Nakamura This image was obtained by A. Nakamura (Kuma Kogen Astronomical Observatory, Japan) on 1998 April 19.95 UT using a 60-cm, f/6 reflector and CCD. The comet is the star-like point in the center of the image. Discovery The LINEAR (Lincoln Laboratory Near Earth Asteroid Research) project announced the discovery of an asteroidal object on images obtained on 1998 April 2.13 and April 3.14. The magnitude was given as 18.9 and 18.3, respectively. Observations were obtained during the next few days and a parabolic orbit published on April 6 by B. G. Marsden revealed the object was moving in a retrograde, nearly parabolic orbit. At Marsden's request, W. B. Offutt (Cloudcroft, New Mexico) combined 12 CCD frames from April 5.14 and noticed a straight tail extending 19 arc seconds toward PA 95°. No coma could be detected. Historical Highlights Following the discovery that this object was a comet moving in a retrograde orbit, further positions were collected and on April 18, B. G. Marsden announced that S. Nakano and himself had found that the object "is of Halley type." Ultimately, the orbital period was found to be 42 years. D. DeGraff combined several CCD images obtained by A. C. Schwortz and himself (Alfred University Observatory) on April 6 with the 0.81-m reflector and noted a tail extending about 10 arc seconds toward PA 100°. The moon was then nearby. The comet was last detected on June 17.16, by observers at Whipple Observatory on Mount Hopkins. The short period of observation could make the comet difficult to recovery when it returns around 2040 C&MS Home  |  cometography.com  |  Current  |  Periodic  |  Sungrazers  |  Links  |  Comet Information Media Inquiries If you have any questions, please email me