MPEC 2021-A101 : COMET C/2020 X4 (Leonard)
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M.P.E.C. 2021-A101 Issued 2021 January 10, 01:07 UT
The Minor Planet Electronic Circulars contain information on unusual
minor planets and routine data on comets. They are published
on behalf of Division F of the International Astronomical Union by the
Minor Planet Center, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory,
Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
Prepared using the Tamkin Foundation Computer Network
MPC@CFA.HARVARD.EDU
URL https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/ ISSN 1523-6714
COMET C/2020 X4 (Leonard)
G. J. Leonard reports the discovery of a comet in survey images from
Mt. Lemmon Survey (G96) in 4 co-added 30s exposures taken 2020 Dec. 14 UT.
He reports a moderately condensed 10" coma. Additional reports of cometary
features are as follows:
OC Date Reporter Coma Tail PA Exposures
I52 2020-12-14 C. Fuls 6".8
B96 2020-12-15 E. Bryssinck 8" 35x120s
H06 2020-12-17 H. Sato 8" 16x60s
F51 2020-12-17 R. Weryk 1".3 4" 120 3x45s
H06 2021 01 05 H. Sato 6" 14x60s
Observations:
CK20X040* C2020 12 14.08535620 57 33.40 +18 07 36.5 20.00GVEA101G96
CK20X040 C2020 12 14.08973020 57 33.61 +18 07 33.9 20.08GVEA101G96
CK20X040 C2020 12 14.09412020 57 33.83 +18 07 31.6 20.02GVEA101G96
CK20X040 C2020 12 14.09849420 57 33.98 +18 07 29.7 20.05GVEA101G96
CK20X040 HC2020 12 14.13615420 57 35.70 +18 07 11.0 20.05GVEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 14.13983620 57 35.84 +18 07 09.1 20.49GVEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 14.14351720 57 36.14 +18 07 07.1 VEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 14.14719620 57 36.24 +18 07 04.5 20.38GVEA101I52
CK20X040 KC2020 12 14.77305 20 58 04.71 +18 01 58.1 20.2 GVEA101L06
CK20X040 KC2020 12 14.77593 20 58 04.83 +18 01 56.9 20.1 GVEA101L06
CK20X040 KC2020 12 14.77847 20 58 04.90 +18 01 55.4 19.9 GVEA101L06
CK20X040 KC2020 12 15.75150020 58 49.48 +17 54 07.6 20.0 GVEA101L01
CK20X040 KC2020 12 15.75465220 58 49.62 +17 54 05.9 19.9 GVEA101L01
CK20X040 KC2020 12 15.75781920 58 49.78 +17 54 04.5 19.9 GVEA101L01
CK20X040 KC2020 12 15.76096820 58 49.96 +17 54 03.1 20.1 GVEA101L01
CK20X040 KC2020 12 15.76603 20 58 50.26 +17 54 00.1 19.6 GVEA101B96
CK20X040 KC2020 12 15.79290 20 58 51.48 +17 53 47.1 19.8 GVEA101B96
CK20X040 mC2020 12 16.05863120 59 03.59 +17 51 40.4 VEA101I52
CK20X040 mC2020 12 16.06187120 59 03.71 +17 51 39.4 20.35GVEA101I52
CK20X040 mC2020 12 16.06510120 59 03.88 +17 51 38.2 20.15GVEA101I52
CK20X040 mC2020 12 16.06832920 59 03.98 +17 51 37.1 20.08GVEA101I52
CK20X040 |C2020 12 17.04629 20 59 49.10 +17 43 54.8 VEA101H06
CK20X040 |C2020 12 17.05239 20 59 49.38 +17 43 51.9 20.0 GVEA101H06
CK20X040 mC2020 12 17.09152420 59 51.21 +17 43 33.5 20.30GVEA101I52
CK20X040 mC2020 12 17.09578420 59 51.40 +17 43 32.0 VEA101I52
CK20X040 mC2020 12 17.10004320 59 51.57 +17 43 29.5 VEA101I52
CK20X040 C2020 12 17.20912320 59 56.623+17 42 38.89 20.52wUEA101F51
CK20X040 C2020 12 17.22162520 59 57.233+17 42 32.63 19.88wUEA101F51
CK20X040 C2020 12 17.23409520 59 57.813+17 42 26.85 19.89wUEA101F51
CK20X040 KC2020 12 17.76758 21 00 22.62 +17 38 18.8 19.7 GVEA101587
CK20X040 KC2020 12 17.77108 21 00 22.79 +17 38 16.9 20.0 GVEA101587
CK20X040 KC2020 12 17.77457 21 00 22.94 +17 38 16.1 19.8 GVEA101587
CK20X040 KC2020 12 18.73333 21 01 07.49 +17 30 56.4 qEA101215
CK20X040 KC2020 12 18.73656 21 01 07.67 +17 30 54.1 19.9 RqEA101215
CK20X040 KC2020 12 18.73978 21 01 07.90 +17 30 51.4 20.0 RqEA101215
CK20X040 C2020 12 19.07107021 01 23.30 +17 28 22.5 VEA101V06
CK20X040 C2020 12 19.07773621 01 23.64 +17 28 18.7 20.69GVEA101V06
CK20X040 C2020 12 19.08426421 01 23.96 +17 28 15.9 20.31GVEA101V06
CK20X040 C2020 12 19.09093021 01 24.23 +17 28 13.3 21.35GVEA101V06
CK20X040 KC2020 12 20.01124 21 02 07.48 +17 21 19.9 19.8 GVEA101H36
CK20X040 KC2020 12 20.02029 21 02 07.88 +17 21 15.8 19.6 GVEA101H36
CK20X040 KC2020 12 20.03875 21 02 08.74 +17 21 07.3 20.3 GVEA101H36
CK20X040 HC2020 12 20.07608421 02 10.49 +17 20 50.6 20.12GVEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 20.08276321 02 10.80 +17 20 47.6 20.86GVEA101I52
CK20X040 KC2020 12 20.08464 21 02 10.92 +17 20 47.0 20.1 RoEA101691
CK20X040 HC2020 12 20.08908221 02 11.09 +17 20 45.3 VEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 20.09604321 02 11.44 +17 20 40.9 VEA101I52
CK20X040 KC2020 12 20.11039 21 02 12.08 +17 20 35.9 19.8 RoEA101691
CK20X040 KC2020 12 20.13613 21 02 13.31 +17 20 23.9 20.0 RoEA101691
CK20X040 HC2020 12 21.08114221 02 57.89 +17 13 26.7 VEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 21.08807521 02 58.27 +17 13 23.0 20.35GVEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 21.10929021 02 59.26 +17 13 13.6 20.49GVEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 21.11695221 02 59.69 +17 13 10.7 VEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 22.06015921 03 44.41 +17 06 21.6 VEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 22.06463821 03 44.57 +17 06 20.5 19.61GVEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 22.06910721 03 44.79 +17 06 18.8 20.05GVEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 22.07358421 03 45.00 +17 06 16.9 21.11GVEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 23.08567921 04 33.22 +16 59 04.6 VEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 23.09002021 04 33.44 +16 59 03.5 20.87GVEA101I52
CK20X040 HC2020 12 23.09525121 04 33.70 +16 59 00.9 VEA101I52
CK20X040 KC2020 12 26.07805 21 06 57.32 +16 38 33.1 oEA101691
CK20X040 KC2020 12 26.09868 21 06 58.12 +16 38 26.6 oEA101691
CK20X040 KC2020 12 26.11930 21 06 59.15 +16 38 17.6 oEA101691
CK20X040 KC2020 12 26.57638 21 07 21.36 +16 35 14.8 19.2 rVEA101N51
CK20X040 KC2020 12 26.57822 21 07 21.45 +16 35 14.0 19.2 rVEA101N51
CK20X040 KC2020 12 26.58007 21 07 21.54 +16 35 13.2 19.1 rVEA101N51
CK20X040 KC2020 12 26.58194 21 07 21.62 +16 35 12.5 19.1 rVEA101N51
CK20X040 KC2020 12 26.58570 21 07 21.80 +16 35 10.9 19.1 rVEA101N51
CK20X040 IC2020 12 31.79221721 11 36.91 +16 02 24.7 VEA101J95
CK20X040 KC2020 12 31.79853721 11 37.25 +16 02 22.4 19.8 GVEA101J95
CK20X040 BC2020 12 31.80683921 11 37.71 +16 02 19.6 VEA101J95
CK20X040 KC2021 01 02.06466221 12 40.14 +15 54 53.4 19.53GVEA101I52
CK20X040 KC2021 01 02.07045021 12 40.36 +15 54 52.4 19.83GVEA101I52
CK20X040 KC2021 01 02.07623621 12 40.64 +15 54 50.3 19.67GVEA101I52
CK20X040 KC2021 01 03.09349521 13 31.23 +15 48 58.1 19.93GVEA101I52
CK20X040 KC2021 01 03.09749921 13 31.49 +15 48 56.3 20.95GVEA101I52
CK20X040 KC2021 01 03.10150221 13 31.68 +15 48 54.5 20.11GVEA101I52
CK20X040 KC2021 01 03.10550821 13 31.88 +15 48 53.3 20.18GVEA101I52
CK20X040 |C2021 01 05.05954 21 15 09.53 +15 37 55.1 VEA101H06
CK20X040 |C2021 01 05.06567 21 15 09.82 +15 37 52.8 20.2 GVEA101H06
Observer details:
215 Buchloe. Observer W. Hasubick. 0.44-m f/4.6 reflector + CCD.
587 Sormano. Observer E. Colzani. Measurer P. Sicoli. 0.5-m f/6.8 reflector
+ CCD.
691 Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak-Spacewatch. Observers A. F. Tubbiolo, R.
A. Mastaler. 0.9-m f/3 reflector + CCD.
B96 Brixiis Observatory, Kruibeke. Observer E. Bryssinck. 0.4-m f/3.8
reflector + CCD.
F51 Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala. Observers J. Bulger, T. Lowe, A. Schultz, M.
Willman. Measurers K. Chambers, S. Chastel, T. de Boer, L. Denneau, J.
Fairlamb, H. Flewelling, M. Huber, C.-C. Lin, E. Magnier, Y. Ramanjooloo,
R. Wainscoat, R. Weryk. 1.8-m Ritchey-Chretien + CCD.
G96 Mt. Lemmon Survey. Observer G. J. Leonard. Measurers E. J. Christensen,
G. A. Farneth, D. C. Fuls, A. R. Gibbs, A. D. Grauer, H. Groeller, R. A.
Kowalski, S. M. Larson, G. J. Leonard, T. A. Pruyne, D. Rankin, R. L.
Seaman, F. C. Shelly, K. W. Wierzchos. 1.5-m reflector + 10K CCD.
H06 iTelescope Observatory, Mayhill. Observer H. Sato. 0.43-m f/6.8
astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer.
H36 Sandlot Observatory, Scranton. Observer G. Hug. 0.56-m reflector + CCD.
I52 Steward Observatory, Mt. Lemmon Station. Observers D. C. Fuls, G. J.
Leonard, H. Groeller. Measurers E. J. Christensen, G. A. Farneth, D. C.
Fuls, A. R. Gibbs, A. D. Grauer, H. Groeller, R. A. Kowalski, S. M.
Larson, G. J. Leonard, T. A. Pruyne, D. Rankin, R. L. Seaman, F. C.
Shelly, K. W. Wierzchos. 1.0-m reflector + CCD.
J95 Great Shefford. Observer P. Birtwhistle. 0.41-m f/6.3 Schmidt-Cassegrain
+ CCD.
L01 Visnjan Observatory, Tican. Observers K. Korlevic, D. Pujagic. 1.0-m
f/2.9 reflector + CCD.
L06 Sormano 2 Observatory, Bellagio Via Lattea. Observer G. Ventre. Measurer
P. Sicoli. 0.28-m f/10 reflector + CCD.
N51 GROWTH India Telescope, IAO, Hanle. Observers K. Sharma, H. Kumar, U.
Stanzin, V. Bhalerao, G. C. Anupama, S. Barway. Measurers K. Sharma, B.
T. Bolin. 0.70-m f/6.5 Corrected Dall-Kirkham + CCD.
V06 Catalina Sky Survey-Kuiper. Observer G. J. Leonard. Measurers E. J.
Christensen, G. A. Farneth, D. C. Fuls, A. R. Gibbs, A. D. Grauer, H.
Groeller, R. A. Kowalski, S. M. Larson, G. J. Leonard, T. A. Pruyne, D.
Rankin, R. L. Seaman, F. C. Shelly, K. W. Wierzchos. 1.55-m reflector +
1K CCD.
Orbital elements:
C/2020 X4 (Leonard)
Epoch 2020 Nov. 7.0 TT = JDT 2459160.5
T 2020 Nov. 10.79651 TT Rudenko
q 5.2092780 (2000.0) P Q
z +0.0213968 Peri. 139.48854 +0.68928909 +0.65652783
+/-0.0000000 Node 161.90273 -0.56521877 +0.22278915
e 0.8885382 Incl. 80.47920 +0.45321991 -0.72064985
From 80 observations 2020 Dec. 14-2021 Jan. 5, mean residual 0".6.
C/2020 X4 (Leonard)
Epoch 2020 Dec. 17.0 TT = JDT 2459200.5
T 2020 Nov. 10.85337 TT Rudenko
q 5.2092870 (2000.0) P Q
z +0.0213833 Peri. 139.49514 +0.68936319 +0.65644240
+/-0.0000000 Node 161.90180 -0.56519304 +0.22283223
e 0.8886083 Incl. 80.48035 +0.45313930 -0.72071435
From 80 observations 2020 Dec. 14-2021 Jan. 5, mean residual 0".6.
Ephemeris:
Date TT R. A. (2000) Decl. Delta r Elong. Phase m1 m2
2020 12 11 20 55 14.8 +18 33 31 5.4951 5.2137 68.4 10.1 19.9
...
2020 12 26 21 06 53.4 +16 39 06 5.6847 5.2191 57.3 9.1 19.9
...
2021 01 03 21 13 26.6 +15 49 30 5.7782 5.2229 51.5 8.5 20.0
...
2021 01 09 21 18 28.2 +15 17 09 5.8437 5.2262 47.2 7.9 20.0
2021 01 10 21 19 18.9 +15 12 09 5.8542 5.2267 46.5 7.8 20.0
2021 01 11 21 20 09.7 +15 07 15 5.8645 5.2273 45.9 7.8 20.0
...
2021 01 17 21 25 16.6 +14 40 07 5.9235 5.2310 41.8 7.2 20.0
...
2021 01 25 21 32 09.1 +14 09 32 5.9935 5.2365 36.6 6.4 20.1
...
2021 02 09 21 45 03.5 +13 27 27 6.0947 5.2484 28.5 5.1 20.1
M. P. C. Staff (C) Copyright 2021 MPC M.P.E.C. 2021-A101
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