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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1223      1997 Aug 13 18.00UT
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
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COMET 1997 P2
     T. Gehrels, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, reports the automatic
discovery of a comet by Spacewatch.  Available CCD observations:

     1997 UT             R.A. (2000) Decl.        m1    Observer
     Aug. 12.24372   21 40 04.76   - 6 37 47.8   18.6   Gehrels
          12.26467   21 40 04.28   - 6 37 45.0   19.0     "
          12.28579   21 40 03.67   - 6 37 44.7   19.0     "
          13.33624   21 39 36.76   - 6 36 39.3          Balam
          13.35463   21 39 36.28   - 6 36 37.1            "
          13.36181   21 39 36.08   - 6 36 36.8            "

T. Gehrels (Kitt Peak).  0.9-m Spacewatch telescope.  Tail 1' long in
   p.a. 325 deg.
D. D. Balam (Dominion Astrophysical Observatory).  1.8-m Plaskett
   reflector.  Clearly cometary, quite condensed, no tail observed.

IAUC 6717

Martin Mobberley