------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1191 1997 May 09 20.17UT Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke, Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074 INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK GMH at AST.STAR.RL.AC.UK WORLD WIDE WEB http://www.demon.co.uk/astronomer ------------------------------------------------------------------- COMET 1997 J2 Word has reached us from the Central Bureau that a second comet has been detected in the same telescopic field as Comet C/1997 J1 (which was reported on E1190). Michel Meunier reports his discovery of a new comet on May 7.9 UT, only some 6' southwest of comet C/1997 J1, perhaps 0.5 mag brighter than C/1997 J1 but having a much slower motion. Additional observations, apparently an independent discovery, have also been reported by Philippe Dupouy and J. F. Lahitte. 1997 UT R.A. (2000) Decl. m1 Observer May 7.91366 10 54 10.28 +73 53 08.6 14.0 Meunier 7.92087 10 54 09.88 +73 53 07.6 13.9 " 8.01956 10 54 04.71 +73 52 52.6 15.5 Dupouy 8.05955 10 54 02.69 +73 52 46.3 15.5 " 8.08126 10 54 01.62 +73 52 44.1 15.5 " 8.88024 10 53 23.25 +73 50 46.7 14.2 " 8.95490 10 53 19.28 +73 50 35.1 14.2 " M. Meunier (Arbonne la Foret). 0.20-m f/6 reflector + CCD. P. Dupouy and J. F. Lahitte (Observatoire de Dax). 0.20-m reflector + CCD. IAUC 6648 Editor: This would appear to present an extremely rare opportunity to image two comets in the same telescopic field. We welcome news of any successes! Guy M Hurst