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Reports from Geisei Observatory <August 18, 2009>


64P/Swift-Gehrels

   The following is the observation of Swift-Gehrels visible low in the dawn sky. This is the first observation of this comet at Geisei in 18 years after the last observation (recovery) in 1991. It is strange that this comet discovered by the American comet hunter Swift a century ago is still being observed. I also think the claim not necessarily correct that short period comets disappear in 100 years. It is true that this comet have faded by several magnitudes since Swift discovered it visually because it loses its brightness as it revolves the sun.
    The comet is diffused with a week central condensation. The total magnitude was given here.
    It is already autumn in the sky and at 4 o'clock in the morning Orion rises.

Orion rising before dawn.
A 5-minute exposure with 105mm f/3.5 lens and TM400 film


0064P          2009 08 18.80885 07 19 22.17 +25 57 39.7          14.0 T      372
Copyright (C) 2009 Tsutomu Seki.