Electronic Telegram No. 361 Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION M.S. 18, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A. IAUSUBS@CFA.HARVARD.EDU or FAX 617-495-7231 (subscriptions) CBAT@CFA.HARVARD.EDU (science) URL http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/cbat.html COMET P/2005 YQ127 (LINEAR) A number of reports have been received describing the cometary nature of 2005 YQ127, an object discovered by LINEAR and previously catalogued as asteroidal. The discovery position (originally published on MPS 156789) is given below: PK05YC7Q C2005 12 28.28042 05 58 03.15 +25 25 49.5 18.0 N 704 The complete set of observations and a new orbit are published on MPEC 2006-A57. M. Mannucci, N. Montigiani and S. Riccetti (Observatory "Margherita Hack", Florence, 0.25-m f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain + CCD) obtained four images around 2006 Jan. 6.89 UT showing the object to have a diffuse appearance. Follow-up observations on 2006 Jan. 9.89 show a diffuse and faint 7"-diameter coma. Other confirming observations have been reported as follows: F. Bellini and L. Buzzi (Schiaparelli Observatory, Varese, 0.60-m reflector + CCD), 2006 Jan. 10.05 UT. Clearly diffuse with a moderate central condensation and a round coma about 10" in diameter elongated in P.A. 135 deg. S. Foglia, D. Crespi, G. Galli and S. Minuto (Osservatorio Astronomico di Suno, 0.40-m f/4 reflector + CCD), 2006 Jan. 9.91 UT. Slightly diffuse with a 7"-diameter coma elongated in P.A. 240 deg. P. Corelli (Mandi Observatory, Pagnacco, 0.20-m Schmidt-Cassegrain + CCD), 2006 Jan. 8.76 UT and 2006 Jan. 9.80 UT. Evident non-stellar appearance with a 15"-diameter faint and diffuse coma. C. W. Hergenrother (Steward Observatory, 1.54-m Kuiper telescope + CCD), 2006 Jan. 4.39 UT. Diffuse coma 40" in diameter. NOTE: These 'Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams' are sometimes superseded by text appearing later in the printed IAU Circulars. (C) Copyright 2006 CBAT 2006 January 10 (CBET 361) Gareth V. Williams