490P/ATLAS (0490P)

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Type: Periodic Perihelion date: 28 September 2024 Perihelion distance (q): 1.1 Aphelion distance (Q) : 5.0 Period (years): 5.3 Eccentricity (e): 0.65 Inclination (i): 12.3 JPL orbit diagram COBS lightcurve Atlas 490P/ATLAS = 2019 M2 = 2024 C6 An 18th magnitude object was discovered in images taken with the 0.5m Schmidt at Mauna Loa on 29 June 2019 by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) team. After posting on the PCCP it was found to show cometary features by other observers. The comet passed 0.21 au from Earth on 16 June 2019. PanSTARRS 2 recovered 2019 M2 at 22nd magnitude in images taken on between 4 February and 4 April 2024. The comet passed 0.7 au from Jupiter in January 1990 and will pass 0.8 au from the planet in May 2037. Observations (VEMag = visual equivalent magnitude) Date 10x10 mag Error VEmag Coma ' 08-Aug-19 18.46 0.03 18.0 0.2 28-Aug-19 18.56 0.06 18.4 0.2 04-Sep-19 18.65 0.03 18.6 0.2 24-Sep-19 19.11 0.09 19.0 0.2 30-Sep-19 19.56 0.07 19.5 0.2 28-Oct-19 20.68 0.04 20.4 0.2