Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
IAUC 5217: 1986 III; 1991d
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Circular No. 5217
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 HALLEY (1986 III)
R. M. West, European Southern Observatory, reports: "CCD images
totalling more than 26 hr exposure were obtained in Johnson V under
good conditions during seven consecutive nights (Mar. 12.2-18.2 UT)
with the Danish 1.54-m telescope at La Silla. The magnitude of the
central condensation remains about the same as in mid-February (IAUC
5189, 5196, 5202): Mar. 12.2, 21.9; 13.2, 22.1; 14.2, 22.0; 15.2,
22.1; 16.2, 22.2; 17.2, 21.9; 18.2, 21.8 (5" circular diaphragm);
some short-term variation is seen. The total magnitude is about 20.
The overall size of the coma is > 30" and the outer contour still
resembles a 'bow-shock' parabola, with the same general orientation
as reported earlier. However, there are important morphological
changes from night to night; e.g., on Mar. 13.2 a condensation was
seen extending toward the southwest from the nucleus. On other
nights, bands of enhanced surface brightness are present within the
coma. It is therefore evident that the current outburst is continuing
and observers with access to large telescopes are urged to
monitor this unique event."
COMET SHOEMAKER-LEVY (1991d)
Ephemeris from orbital elements on MPC 17792:
1991 ET R.A. (1950) Decl. Delta r m1
Mar. 25 8 49.90 +12 21.4 3.087 3.783 13.7
Apr. 4 8 45.44 +14 39.4
14 8 42.94 +16 44.8 3.223 3.626 13.6
24 8 42.48 +18 36.7
May 4 8 44.00 +20 15.3 3.400 3.471 13.6
14 8 47.39 +21 41.5
24 8 52.54 +22 56.5 3.571 3.319 13.5
June 3 8 59.28 +24 01.8
13 9 07.48 +24 58.6 3.702 3.170 13.4
23 9 17.02 +25 48.3
July 3 9 27.79 +26 32.0 3.773 3.027 13.2
Total visual magnitude estimates (cf. IAUC 5203): Mar. 9.26
UT, 13.7 (C. S. Morris, Pine Mountain Club, CA, 0.26-m reflector);
13.29, 13.6 (A. Hale, Las Cruces, NM, 0.41-m reflector).
1991 March 21 (5217) Daniel W. E. Green
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