217P/LINEAR (0217P)

Type: Periodic Perihelion date: 24 May 2025 Perihelion distance (q): 1.2 Aphelion distance (Q) : 6.7 Period (years): 7.8 Eccentricity (e): 0.69 Inclination (i): 12.9 JPL orbit diagram COBS lightcurve Atlas 217P = 2001 MD7 = 2009 F3 The comet was discovered a 17th magnitude on 11 July 2001, when it appeared diffuse. Subsequent observations permitted identification with the object 2001 MD_7, so designated on MPS 31852 as a result of LINEAR observations made on 21 and 24 June. L. Sarounova reported that CCD images of the comet obtained on 12 July at Ondrejov show a bright nucleus and faint coma. The comet became about 5th magnitude at its brightest. The comet was recovered by Ernesto Guido, Giovanni Sostero and Paul Cammileri on 17 March 2009 using remote telescopes in the USA (the RAS Observatory 0.25-m reflector near Mayhill, NM) and in Australia (the 0.35-m reflector at Grove Creek Observatory, Trunkey, N.S.W.). The comet was 18th magnitude. Observations (VEMag = visual equivalent magnitude) Date 10x10 mag Error VEmag Coma ' 13-Jul-17 13.87 0.01 11.8 1.1 05-Aug-17 13.94 0.03 11.1 1.1 20-Aug-17 14.13 0.02 11.4 1.2 13-Nov-17 16.61 0.04 13.6 0.5 15-Dec-17 16.78 0.07 14.0 0.6 22-Dec-17 16.95 0.02 14.1 0.7 15-Jan-18 17.06 0.01 13.8 0.6 21-Jan-18 17.40 0.01 14.0 0.5