Abstract: Comet D/1978 C2 (Tritton) was discovered by Kenneth Tritton, on the 11th of February, 1978, with the 1.2 meter telescope of Siding Spring Observatory. The comet was extremely faint, and last time it was observed was on the 14th of March, 1978. Thus, all the computations of the orbital parameters are uncertain, with a T (orbital) of approximately 6.35 years. Since its last observation in 1978, the comet has remained unvisible, though it must have reached its perihelion two times. This November is the best period for finding it between its discovery and 2010, its next perihelion of significant elongation. We computed the critical zone of the comet's reoccurence, which would need further investigation.

Full Text of Proposal

Comments by OPC

General Comments: Good project, well worked out, and with chances of success.

Visibility: Well placed for observation in the second half of the night.

Special Comments:

Expected time consumption (including overhead): About 3 hours.

Proposed facility:The Brorfelde Schmidt telescope seems to offer the best compromise between field size and large aperture required for a faint object.