Reports from Geisei Observatory <March 9, 2006>

73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3

    The following are the results of observations of 73P/Schwassmann-Washmann 3 at Geisei Observatory. As the photo shows, it is relatively bright and its tail has steadily grown. It is not quite certain yet if it becomes a naked-eye comet at the closest approach in May.
    C/2006 A1 (Pojmanski) seems to have faded slightly. I will provide the measurements of its positions shortly. The following results are provided here first and not reported anywhere else.

73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 (B)
2006UT         RA (2000.0)   Decl.          m1
Feb.27.77083   13 51 43.32  +13 15 15.8    15.0     372
Mar. 7.73611   14 01 17.73  +14 53 37.1    14.9     372
 
73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 (C)
2006UT         RA (2000.0)   Decl.          m1
Feb.23.76285   13 50 35.17  +12 14 07.0    13.6     372
    23.77604   13 50 36.13  +12 14 12.9    13.6     372
    27.80972   13 55 55.70  +12 44 45.6    12.9     372
Mar. 7.72535   14 06 18.48  +13 57 29.0    12.6     372