Discovery of Comet C/2009 F1 (Larson) Confirmed from Raheny!

Last Wednesday an object popped up on the NEO confirmation page at the Minor Planet Centre. After a short imaging session, I submitted three positions for this object to the MPC. Late this afternoon the IAU confirmed this object was not in fact an asteroid but a comet!! It has now been designated C/2009 F1 (Larson). The discovery notice (MPEC) confirms Raheny Observatory as one of the supporting (confirmation) observatories. Just so I am clear (I DID NOT DISCOVER THIS COMET!) it was discovered at the Mt Lemmon Sky Survey) I was merely part of the team that provided confirmation of the discovery.

Here's a link to the discovery announcement MPEC

www.cfa.harvard.edu/mpec/K09/K09F34.html

I'm really chuffed to bits with that. A real first for me! 2009 F1 is magnitude +19.5, I have no idea if it will get much brighter, would be really nice if this gets bright enough to be seen in a telescope, that would be sooo cool.

Heres an image from Raheny.

Is there no end to this man's talents?

Good grief Dave, looks like you have another beauty to add to the list.
Raheny the astronomy capital of Ireland , amazing work.

Deirdre Kelleghan
PRO IFAS
President IAS
www.deridrekelleghan.com
twitter.com/skysketcher

Whats even more amazing is that Raheny is the Light Polution capital of Ireland too!!

good stuff dave!
now, all you need now is to discover/co-discover an earth-threatening NEO and you'll have the whole range of solar system objects under your belt!

Michael.

michaeloconnell wrote:

now, all you need now is to discover/co-discover an earth-threatening NEO and you'll have the whole range of solar system objects under your belt!

Well its funny you should say that because Raheny Observatory has been in the thick of the MPEC's today too!

2009 FY4 a PHA
www.cfa.harvard.edu/mpec/K09/K09F42.html

and

2009 FW4 a NEO
www.cfa.harvard.edu/mpec/K09/K09F40.html

Raheny listed as providing confirmation data on both asteroids.