You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar

Observing >> Planetary and Solar System Observing Previous   Index   Next   Threaded

Pages: 1 Tonk Postmaster Reged: 08/19/04 Loc: Leeds, UK, 54N Long lost comet Pons-Gambart has been recovered!       #5549831 - 12/02/12 06:10 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   This comet was last observed by Pons in 1827 at around mag 8! The orbital period appears to be around 62 years so we have missed two subsequent returns until now. Robert Matson has just reported an object as SWAN12B, now comfirmed as a comet with designation C/2012 V4 (CBET 3320) and also confirmed as D/Pons-Gambart It is unfortunately (for me) currently in southern Sagittarius and below the horizon by the time the sun sets. It is heading north but perihelion is around 19th December and after that time the comet fades as it climbs north. Harvard ephemeris Code: Date TT R. A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. Phase m1 m2 2012 11 29 19 16 44.2 -29 36 19 1.3714 0.8890 40.3 45.9 11.7 2012 11 30 19 15 49.3 -28 48 16 1.3897 0.8812 39.1 44.9 11.7 2012 12 01 19 14 55.9 -28 01 26 1.4079 0.8738 37.9 43.9 11.7 2012 12 02 19 14 03.6 -27 15 45 1.4258 0.8666 36.7 42.8 11.6 2012 12 03 19 13 12.4 -26 31 12 1.4435 0.8598 35.5 41.8 11.6 2012 12 04 19 12 22.1 -25 47 41 1.4609 0.8533 34.4 40.7 11.6 2012 12 05 19 11 32.6 -25 05 11 1.4779 0.8471 33.2 39.5 11.6 2012 12 06 19 10 43.9 -24 23 38 1.4946 0.8413 32.0 38.4 11.6 But congrats to Robert anyway for recovering a long lost comet! Its currently 4th on this list of lost comets (soon to be removed!) CometHunter lost comet list Post Extras:       RobK sage Reged: 07/06/08 Loc: Bright, Vic, Australia Re: Long lost comet Pons-Gambart has been recovered! [Re: Tonk]       #5549882 - 12/02/12 07:22 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The comet appears to be considerably brighter visually than the ephemeris magnitude and was an easy get in my 4.5" f8 reflector at 43x after twilight tonight. Small, around an arcminute in diameter, maybe a bit more in averted vision. Condensed but the bright inner coma eluded me. Visual mags of 9.4 and 9.3 have been reported. Quite reasonable although I felt it might have been slightly fainter than that. Photographically it's bright and a lovely green colour - my (rough) image from tonight is here: http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww271/Rob_Kau/C2012V42Dec2012text.jpg Amazing to eyeball something that hasn't been seen since 1827! If you have it in your skies, don't miss the opportunity to see it! Cheers - Rob Post Extras:       Tonk Postmaster Reged: 08/19/04 Loc: Leeds, UK, 54N Re: Long lost comet Pons-Gambart has been recovered! [Re: RobK]       #5549884 - 12/02/12 07:26 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The Harvard magnitudes are always well below what is observed in my experience! Rob you have the luck to be in the southern hemisphere for this one! Post Extras:       Tonk Postmaster Reged: 08/19/04 Loc: Leeds, UK, 54N Re: Long lost comet Pons-Gambart has been recovered! [Re: Tonk]       #5555147 - 12/05/12 05:42 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   There has just been an MPC update on this comet http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K12/K12X14.html From analysis of the comet astrometry this time round it seems that the comet has a 188 year orbit and this is indeed the first return of Pons-Gambart since 1827 Post Extras:       Asbytec Guy in a furry hat Reged: 08/08/07 Loc: La Union, PI Re: Long lost comet Pons-Gambart has been recovered! [Re: Tonk]       #5555151 - 12/05/12 06:07 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I offer my congratulations to Robert for some fine work. Bravo. Post Extras:       Pages: 1

Previous   Index   Next   Threaded

Extra information 3 registered and 4 anonymous users are browsing this forum. Moderator:  RLTYS  Print Thread Forum Permissions       You cannot start new topics       You cannot reply to topics       HTML is disabled       UBBCode is enabled Thread views: 816 Jump to *Announcements and News* -----   Cloudy Nights Announcements   Discussion of CN Articles, Reviews, and Reports   Celestial Events*General Astronomy* -----   Beginners Forum   General Observing and Astronomy   Outreach   Light Pollution*Equipment Discussions* -----   ATM, Optics and DIY Forum   Binoculars   Binoviewers   Cats & Casses   Classic Telescopes   Equipment   Eyepieces   Mounts   Observatories   Reflectors   Refractors    Video and Electronically Assisted Astronomy*Astrophotography and Sketching* -----   Beginning and Intermediate Imaging   Film Astrophotography   DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing   CCD Imaging & Processing   Solar System Imaging & Processing   Sketching   Astro Imaging/Sketching Contest *Observing* -----   NEO   Planetary and Solar System Observing   Lunar Observing   Deep Sky Observing   Double Star Observing   Solar   Variable Star Observing and Radio Astronomy*Telescope Specific Forums* -----   Celestron NexStar    NexStar GPS / CPC Telescopes   Questar Forum   Meade ACF/RCX / LX / GPS    Meade ETX*Speciality Forums* -----   Arizona Science and Astronomy Expo   NEAF (Northeast Astronomy Forum) and NEAIC (Northeast Astro Imaging Conference)   AstroArt   Astronomy Clubs and Star Parties   Astronomy Software & Computers   AstroWebsites   Science! Astronomy & Space Exploration, and Others   Space Rocks   Stellar Media*Swap and Shop* -----   Shop and Swap Audio Components*CN Feedback and Vendor Announcements* -----   Vendor and Group Announcements*International Year of Astronomy 2009 - Forums are now closed.* -----   IYA Archive Info

CN Forums Home