C/2007 F1

C/2007 F1 (LONEOS) is a hyperbolic comet discovered on March 19, 2007 as part as the Lowell Observatory Near Earth Object Search (LONEOS). The comet reached perihelion, or closest approach to the sun on October 28, 2007.[1]

C/2007 F1 (LONEOS)
Discovery
Discovered byBrian A. Skiff
Discovery dateMarch 19, 2007
Orbital characteristics A
EpochJune 7, 2007
(JD 2454258.5)
AphelionN/A
Perihelion0.40237 AU
Semi-major axisN/A
Eccentricity1.00009[1]
1.000021 (epoch 2011+)[2]
Orbital periodN/A
Inclination116.08°
Last perihelionOctober 28, 2007
Next perihelionejection

The comet reached 6th magnitude in October, making it easily visible in binoculars, and just barely visible to the naked eye for observers in the Northern Hemisphere, just after sunset in the west. It reached a max brightness of magnitude 5 around perihelion, before starting to slowly dim on its way out of the solar system. It continued to move south in the sky and became visible to southern hemisphere comet chasers in mid November.

The comet was also observed from both the STEREO spacecraft, first by STEREO-B on October 22 and then by STEREO-A for several days starting from October 28[3] as the comet had just passed perihelion and was receding from the Sun.

References
  1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: C/2007 F1 (LONEOS)" (2007-10-28 last obs). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  2. Horizons output. "Barycentric Osculating Orbital Elements for Comet C/2007 F1 (LONEOS)". Retrieved 2011-03-12. (Solution using the Solar System Barycenter and barycentric coordinates. Select Ephemeris Type:Elements and Center:@0)
  3. Kracht, Rainer. "Comets in SECCHI Images".


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