New Discovery!: T. Lovejoy (Thornlands, Queensland, Australia) reports his discovery of a new comet on May 26, in the course of his survey with a DSLR (200-mm f/2.8). The 13m comet was confirmed by J. Drummond (Gisborne, New Zealand) and R. H. McNaught (Siding Spring). No orbit is yet available for comet
2007 K5. Additional accurate astrometry is needed. The comet is close to the sun and a southern hemisphere object. Preliminary orbital calculations indicate that the comet may have already passed perihelion and that its visibility condition will not improve greatly. This is the second amateur comet discovery of 2007, after C/2007 E2 (Lovejoy). Search ephemerides can be generated at the
NEO Confirmation Page. (
IAUC 8840, subscription required)
Well done Terry! Woohoo!