Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
IAUC 4827: 1989o; GK Per
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Read IAUC 4828
Circular No. 4827
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
Postal Address: Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
Telephone 617-495-7244/7440/7444 (for emergency use only)
TWX 710-320-6842 ASTROGRAM CAM EASYLINK 62794505
MARSDEN or GREEN@CFA.BITNET MARSDEN or GREEN@CFAPS2.SPAN
PERIODIC COMET BRORSEN-METCALF (1989o)
P. A. Wehinger, Arizona State University, communicates the
following report from H. Spinrad and M. Dickinson, University of
California, Berkeley, on spectra obtained with the Lick Observatory's
3-m reflector: "On July 8 a low-resolution spectrum covering 400-800 nm
shows the following emission features: C3 404 nm, CN(1,0), CH 423 nm,
C2(2,0), C2(1,0), C2(0,0), C2(0,1), NH2 (10,0) 571 nm, [O I] 630 and 636
nm, NH2(8,0) 634 nm and the CN red system at 780 nm. A spectrum (range
305-600 nm) obtained by A. V. Filippenko on July 9 shows OH(0,0) 308 nm,
OH(1,0) 312 nm, NH 336 nm, CN(0,0) (the strongest emission band), C3 404
nm, CN(1,0), CH, C2(2,0), C2(1,0), C2(0,0), C2(0,1) and NH2(10,0)."
Wehinger also communicates a report by H. Weaver on attempts to
observe the comet with the University of Arizona Fourier transform
spectrometer on the Kuiper Airborne Observatory on July 29.5, 30.5 and
Aug. 1.5 UT. Quick-look data, specifically in the region of the nu3 H20
band near 2.6 microns, showed no cometary emissions, possibly because
the comet's low geocentric radial velocity precluded good atmospheric
transmittance.
K. Xilouri, T. Zwitter, I. Andredakis and I. Papamastorakis,
Skinakas Observatory, Crete, report that observations with a 0.30-m
Schmidt and CCD on Aug. 2.04 UT showed the diameter of the coma in a
V-filter to be 15'. A distinct ion tail in p.a. 255 deg, at least 50'
long and about 1' wide, was detected in B, V and R filters.
Total visual magnitude estimates: July 30.97 UT, 6.8 (G. Keitch,
Wrington, Avon, England, 10 x 50 binoculars); Aug. 1.65, 6.8 (S. Hirai,
Sapporo, Japan, 15 x 60 binoculars; a photograph shows a 1-deg needle-
like tail); 3.10, 6.6 (J. Campos, Durban, R.S.A., 0.13-m refractor);
4.12, 6.6 (A. Pereira, Cabo da Roca, Portugal, 9 x 34 binoculars); 5.33,
6.3 (C. E. Spratt, Victoria, BC, 11 x 80 binoculars).
GK PERSEI
Visual magnitude estimates: Aug. 2.04 UT, 11.8 (P. Schmeer,
Bischmisheim, West Germany); 3.01, 11.9 (Schmeer); 4.13, 11.4 (A.
Pereira, Cabo da Roca, Portugal); 5.32, 11.8 (C. E. Spratt, Victoria,
BC).
1989 August 5 (4827) Brian G. Marsden
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