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IAUC 4061: 1984e

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                                                  Circular No. 4061
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
Postal Address: Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
TWX 710-320-6842 ASTROGRAM CAM    Telephone 617-495-7244/7440/7444


PERIODIC COMET GIACOBINI-ZINNER (1984e)
     S. Larson, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, reports that
spectrograms of this comet (range 300-560 nm) have been obtained
with the 1.54-m Catalina reflector.  On Apr. 19.46 UT strong CN
388-nm emission extended the full length of the 4' slit (nucleus
centered).  There was only a subjective indication of  OH  and  C2.
Direct imaging showed a 10" coma and a 20"-30" tail in spite of
poor seeing.  On May 14.40 and 15.44 emissions of OH, CN (0-0,
0-1) and C2 (weak) were detected.  As before, direct imaging
showed only a 10" coma and a 20"-40" tail.  The spectrum showed a
moderate continuum, which when integrated over the observed
wavelengths was brighter than the CN 388-nm emission.  The CN extended
more than 120" from the nucleus.  No ions were observed.

     The following improved orbital elements have been determined
by D. K. Yeomans, Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  The orbit satisfies
observations 1972-1985 (through May 8) with mean residual 1"2.
The nongravitational parameters are A1 = +0.28, A2 = -0.0598.

         T = 1985 Sept. 5.2058 ET    Epoch = 1985 Sept. 12.0 ET
     Peri. = 172.4856                    e =   0.707518
     Node  = 194.7060   1950.0           a =   3.515614 AU
     Incl. =  31.8784                    n =   0.1495210
         q =   1.028255 AU               P =   6.592 years

     1985 ET     R.A. (1950.0) Decl.      p        r       m1

     June  4    20 56.34    +34 41.8    1.123    1.610    13.4
          14    21 18.96    +40 01.5
          24    21 45.78    +45 25.1    0.918    1.431    12.1
     July  4    22 19.57    +50 38.7
          14    23 04.63    +55 20.1    0.745    1.266    10.9
          24     0 06.34    +58 46.1
     Aug.  3     1 26.80    +59 39.4    0.598    1.130     9.7
          13     2 55.42    +56 26.1
          23     4 13.29    +48 22.9    0.492    1.045     8.8
     Sept. 2     5 12.33    +36 21.9
          12     5 55.45    +22 27.6    0.472    1.033     8.6
          22     6 27.20    + 8 55.8
     Oct.  2     6 50.77    - 2 49.2    0.548    1.096     9.3
          12     7 07.80    -12 28.1
          22     7 18.91    -20 14.0    0.667    1.218    10.4


1985 May 17                    (4061)              Brian G. Marsden

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