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