CometBase Alert №1. Comet C/2013 V5 (Oukameiden) is disintegrating?
As orbital studies revealed, C/2013 V5 (Oukameiden), discovered on November 12th, 2013, is dynamically new comet with a small perihelion distance (0.63 AU on September 28th, 2014). Information about absolute magnitude and perihelion distance of the comet allows researchers to assume that during its closest approach to the Sun the probability of disintegration is significant. Czech astronomer Jakub Černý reports that now many signs indicate that disintegration of comet is already in progress.
Jakub, who is involved since 29th of August in the cometary observations using FRAM telescope (Argentina), states that on 12th of September brightness of comet increased rapidly and dust production rate Af(Rho) doubled afterwards. 5 days after both brightness and dust production rate dropped sharply, that’s 5 times of the outburst level and 2.5 times of the pre-outburst period. Photometric observations indicate that after the outburst moment central condensation brightness has already dropped to a value lower than it was before the outburst. All this may indicate that the disintegration of comet C / 2013 V5 (Oukameiden) has began.
Therefore, the observation of this comet is especially important now!
No results found.