Comet C/2001 A2 (Linear)

[<aah@nofs.navy.mil>]

Based on IAUC 7653, Comet Linear will be nicely placed
for Mark IV observing in July.  From about July18 on,
there will not be any moonlight and the comet is still
expected to be 6th magnitude or so, plenty bright for
a Mark IV (though remember this is integrated light).
The positions:
  July 18  21:58:39  +17:04:18 J2000
  July 20  21:45:45  +18:12:48
  July 22  21:34:03  +19:07:30
  
This is about 2 degrees of motion per day to the northwest.
I calculate it as 3.8arcsec/minute in RA and 1.4arcsec/min
in DEC, so exposures of 2minutes will only result in one Mark IV
pixel smear.  It comes into view of the mount a little before
2am local time, so you have ~2hrs that you can follow the
comet before twilight.  In that time, the comet moves ~10arcmin,
staying on the CCD without any problems.

I will set ARNE up to observe the comet if any moonless
night clears off.  It should make for a pretty public-relations
photo and yet have some science content as well.
Arne