661129Announcement12_p2

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Comet and Nova Section - Announcement No.12                                      -2-


Comet Tempel (2), 1873II may be observed most of the night during the listed period.
A 6-inch telescope may pick it up.

                     May  30  18 22.8     -02 38     12.6
                     June 19  18 28.8     -04 42     11.6
                     July  9  18 30.7     -11 24     10.9
                          29  18 40.1     -22 04     10.5
                     Aug.  8  19 09.4     -32 05     10.7

Comet Encke, 1786I is the famous short period comet with a period of 3.3 years. The
return is unfavourable this year, but it may be seen with 6-inch telescopes during
August, as it nears the sun.   It will, be in the morning sky.

                     Aug.  8  05 49.0       31 34     12.5
                          18  06 54.0       30 43     11.1
                          28  08 12.9       26 56      9.6


COMET SCHWASSMANN-WACHMANN (I), 1925II

This comet is normal]y about magnitude 18 and well beyond the reach of amateur tele-
scopes, However, it is subject to sudden temporary increases in brightness, and at
times may be brighter than magnitude U. Amateurs with telescopes over 6-inches may
wish to watch for such increases and the following ephemeris is included.

                     Nov. 21  11 17.0      01 06
                     Jan. 10  11 23.4     -00 26
                     Mar.  1  11 10.7      00 13
                     Apr. 20  10 52.5      01 46
                     June  9  10 52.6      01 56

Opposition is about March 7. This comet is in a near-circular orbit (eccentricity
0.14) and although it is not far from aphelion at the present time, the distance from
the sun is decreasing.



Centres of the Society are asked to make this announcement known to interested members.
Please report the first observation of each comet as soon as possible.


Copies of the instruction forts are available upon request.


                                                     Jim Low, National Co-ordinator,
                                                     Comet and Nova Section
                                         Standing Committee on Observational Activities,
                                                     Box 172, AMF Postal Station,
                                                     Montreal International Airport,
29 November, 1966                                    Dorval, P.Q.