FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Comet C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) orbit revision

[Brian Skiff <Brian.Skiff@xxxxxxxxxx>]

     A 'Minor Planet Electronic Circluar (MPEC) issued this evening
gives a somewhat revised orbit for this comet, which should be a naked-eye
object for both hemispheres for a couple months centered on early May 2004.
The orbit is evidently hyperbolic.  Elements and a partial ephemeris
are here:

http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/mpec/K03/K03R39.html

For what it's worth, the JPL 'Horizons' ephemeris service shows a peak
magnitude around 2.5 in early May (but close to the Sun).  For the final
date shown on the MPEC, their predicted magnitude is about +1 fainter
than what the MPEC shows.  Different magnitude/distance schemes are used,
obviously, neither of which are likely to be exactly correct.
     Charles Morris' comet observation page show the comet at mag. 12 
but without a central condensation in the past week or so.
     There will doubtless be more news about this one six months from now,
so no need to get excited yet.

\Brian
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