73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 (C)
It has become fairly bright while unnoticed. Although it
appears small, it shows a glimpse of a great comet on photographs. I used
TP2415 film on the 60cm reflector. A pretty tail, about 60" long,
was spotted at position angle (PA) 300 degrees or so. (PA is the angle
of a celestial object measured in an easterly direction from north). It
is still rather small.
When it was discovered in 1930, it was at 6th magnitude and
a binocular comet. The main interest for this comet at this apparition
will be if it becomes a naked-eye comet.
At Geisei we will continue to observe this comet including
the other nuclei.
73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3(C)
2006UT RA (2000.0) Degl. m1
Jan.07.73056 12 45 21.30 +10 39 26.3 16.3 372
09.84549 12 48 23.39 +10 35 37.2 16.5 372
73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3(C)
Double exposure on TP2415 film from 2:22 to 2:42 on January 8, 2006
60cm reflector