P/1998 W1 = P/2005 R3 (Spahr)
The following are the results of observations at Geisei after
a period of absence:
I photographed the periodic comet P/1998 W1 on September
1, but hadn't been able to confirm it until September 10 because of the
breakdown of the 60cm reflector and bad weather. In the meantime the comet
was detected overseas.
P/1998 W1 = P/2005 R3 (Spahr)
2005UT RA (2000.0) Decl. m1
Sept. 1.80521 7 39 35.77 +17 29 31.1 18.3 372
12.79826 8 09 16.14 +17 42 30.8 17.5 372
12.81493 8 09 18.76 +17 42 32.3 372
2003 UB313
The media touted 2003 UB313, a Kuiper Belt object, to be
the 10th planet for some time. I measured the object in a photograph taken
in August. August is the most unfavorable time for photography, but the
object looked clear enough. It will be a little brighter than 18.5 magnitude
visually. The magnitudes given here are photographic magnitudes as usual.
The image is stellar as expected, but it appears as a tiny comet too at
second glance.
