Dave Mitsky
28-February-2004, 04:29 PM
The well-known comet observer John Bortle recently posted an update on the starrynights YahooGroup about Comet LINEAR T7. The comet has been falling behind brightness predictions since January and essentially has not brightened much in either apparent or heliocentric magnitude during February. He goes on to say, "Over the past 30 days its lightcurve can be represented quite well by the formula: m1 = 5.0 + 5 log delta + 2.5 log r, indicating that it is brightening at a much slower rate than ever a simple reflecting body would be expected to" and that if "LINEAR's development remains as stunted as it currently appears, the comet will prove a rather unimpressive sight as it passes near Earth in mid May."
C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) is thought to be a "new" comet and new comets (Comets Kohoutek and Austin being prime examples) have had a poor track record when it comes to being great.
It looks like David Levy's adage about comets will be be proven right once again.
Dave Mitsky
C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) is thought to be a "new" comet and new comets (Comets Kohoutek and Austin being prime examples) have had a poor track record when it comes to being great.
It looks like David Levy's adage about comets will be be proven right once again.
Dave Mitsky