262P/McNaught-Russell (0262P)

TRY AGAIN 2029

Type: Periodic Perihelion date: 30 November 2012 Perihelion distance (q): 1.3 Aphelion distance (Q) : 12.5 Period (years): 18.0 Eccentricity (e): 0.82 Inclination (i): 29.2 JPL orbit diagram COBS lightcurve 262P/McNaught-Russell = 1994 X1 = 2012 K7 Comet 1994 X1 (P/McNaught-Russell) was recovered by Giovanni Sostero, Nick Howes and Ernesto Guido on 29 May 2012 using the 2.0-m Faulkes Telescope North. It reaches perihelion in December, 0.02 days earlier than predicted. Although not observed visually at the discovery apparition, its brightness on the Schmidt plates suggested that it might have been within range and the predictions suggested that it might become visible in July 2012, and would be at its brightest in November and December, when it is well placed in the evening sky. In the event it wasn't seen visually until early November, when it was 13th magnitude. A month later it had brightened further to 11th magnitude. This change suggests that it may be a comet that shows a linear brightening, so could brighten further. Observations (VEMag = visual equivalent magnitude) Date 10x10 mag Error VEmag Coma ' 14-Jan-13 15.27 0.03 12.5 0.2 25-Jan-13 15.69 0.04 13.2 0.2 04-Feb-13 15.79 0.04 13.1 0.4 17-Feb-13 16.74 0.07 14.5 0.2 23-Feb-13 16.48 0.07 13.9 0.4