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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1357      1998 Nov 16 20.23UT
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 C/1998 U5 (LINEAR)
John Bortle, Stormville, USA has e-mailed us to report a
probable major photometric outburst of this comet for which
discovery details and ephemeris were given on E1355.

Although the discoverers gave the total magnitude as 14.0 on
Oct 30, John Bortle reports his observation on Nov 12.07UT showed
the comet had become an obvious binocular object. Using 20x80B he
made it m1=8.7 with a 7' diameter coma. When viewed with the
0.41-m telescope, the comet showed the classic appearance of a
comet in major outburst with an intense central knot with a small,
bright, inner coma, surrounded by a very extensive total coma with
no boundaries and an extremely faint halo.

In response to this alert, the editor undertook visual observations
on Nov 15.961UT with 15x80B from Basingstoke, England and confirmed
the outburst, making the total 7.6 with a diameter of 12'. A
subsequent observation with 10x50B also showed the comet as of
magnitude 7.0, diameter 15', DC 3.

Although there has been a very substantial increase in total
magnitude since discovery, the editor notes that the comet
is now of very low surface brightness due to its extended size
and careful calculations of its position are important, especially
as its apparent motion across the sky is very substantial. The
ephemeris on E1355 was, however, found to be sufficient to locate
the comet satisfactorily.

Further e-mailed reports of telescopic and binocular observations
together with any recent images would be welcomed.

Guy M Hurst