C/1927 X1 (Skjellerup–Maristany)

Observational history

It was independently discovered by amateur astronomers John Francis Skjellerup in Australia on 28 November 1927 and Edmundo Maristany in Argentina on 6 December 1927, and noted for its strong yellow appearance and the detection of emission from sodium atoms.

The comet was already visible with the naked eye upon discovery and was moving towards the Sun. On 3 December its apparent magnitude was reported to be +3 and its tail was 3 degrees long. Forward scattering of light on 15–16 December 1927 allowed the comet to be seen during daylight if the observer blocked the Sun,{{cite web |access-date=2011-08-07}} (Observer Location:Geocentric [500]) It was reported many times brighter than Venus on December 16, so bright that it could be measured spectrographically in daylight. On 17.9 December the magnitude of the comet was reported to be -2. The comet passed perihelion 18 December and was located 10 degrees away from the Sun. After perihelion the comet stayed in the morning twilight for several weeks as it faded. George van Biesbroeck reported that the comet could no longer be detected with certainty without optical aid on 23 December. A long but faint tail up to 40 degrees was visible in the sky between 29 December and 2 January.

Comet Skjellerup–Maristany has been more than 105 AU from the Sun since 2010. It was mentioned in J. R. R. Tolkien's book Letters From Father Christmas.

References

Notes

Citations

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References

1. (November 1937). "The Sodium Content of the Head of the Great Daylight Comet Skjellerup 1927 K.". The Astrophysical Journal.
2. (1 January 1928). "Comet notes: Comet 1927 k (Skjellerup)". Popular Astronomy.