[BAA Comets] New comet C/2013 G5 (CATALINA)

[Shanklin, Jonathan D.]

Unfortunately the MPEC doesn't give errors for the predictions.  By contrast the JPL small body browser does.  It is interesting to compare the MPEC for 2013 G3 and the JPL orbit for the same comet. MPEC gives a period of 33 years, JPL says its hyperbolic!

For 2013 G5 the difference is much less, and on the observations so far the 1 sigma error is relatively small (eg a few days for T), so the prediction may hold.  Note however that the comet is intrinsically faint, so may not survive.  Also note the MOID, which could indicate the possibility of a meteor shower.

Jonathan Shanklin
Director

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