Discovery of Comet C/2009 F1 (Larson) Confirmed from Raheny!

[davegrennan]

I just know Martin is gonna love this!!

Last Wednesday an object popped up on the NEO confirmation page at the Minor Planet Centre.  After a short imaging session, I submitted three positions for this object to the MPC.  Late this afternoon the IAU confirmed this object was not in fact an asteroid but a comet!!  It has now been designated C/2009 F1 (Larson).  The discovery notice (MPEC) confirms Raheny Observatory as one of the supporting (confirmation) observatories.  Just so I am clear (I DID NOT DISCOVER THIS COMET!) it was discovered at the Mt Lemmon Sky Survey) I was merely part of the team that provided confirmation of the discovery.

Here's a link to the discovery announcement MPEC

http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/mpec/K09/K09F34.html

I'm really chuffed to bits with that. A real first for me!  2009 F1 is magnitude +19.5,  I have no idea if it will get much brighter, would be really nice if this gets bright enough to be seen in a telescope, that would be sooo cool.

Heres an image from Raheny.

[martinastro]

Wow!, Dave that is awesome news!, providing the confirmation data on a new object which turns out to be a comet is a major deal. Congratulations Dave!, it's only a matter of time before you bag one of your own..I'm certain of that. Thanks for sharing this great story with us 

[Paul]

Now that's a result Dave, very well done indeed!

[Tyler]

Great work Dave!! its insane how that last comet was discovered at mag 10! and this one at 19.5...hmmm.

Congrats on the confirmation.

[Roman White]

Congratulations, Dave! 

You have made very valuable observations! I agree with Martin, your comet is waiting to be discovered