| • 24P/Schaumasse The periodic Comet Schaumasse is now at perihelion. According to Mr. Muraoka's prediction in the Comet Handbook for 2001, it should be at 10th magnitude now, but in the photograph it is a few magnitudes fainter. The measured positions are within 10" of his predictions. This comet was predicted to be fainter than the 10th magnitude in 1951, but it brightened up to become a naked-eye object. (I saw this comet in Ursa Major in February 1951.) It moved south while fluctuating in brightness repeatedly. Since then it has been rather inactive. Watch this comet carefully during the month of May. It is in the northern sky in the evening. Comet 24P/Schaumasse 2001 UT R.A (2000) Decl. m1 Apr. 12.46563 4 58 08.70 +28 37 41.0 12.4 372 Apr. 12.47639 4 58 11.17 +28 37 47.3 372 Apr. 19.46875 5 25 44.78 +29 53 32.6 13.5 372 Apr. 27.47222 5 59 24.27 +30 54 38.5 13.1 372 T.Seki |
Copyright (C) 2001 Tsutomu Seki.