Science2Day

Astronomers at the University of Glamorgan have assisted in the discovery of a unique new comet, only months after a work experience student discovered a series of asteroids while working at the University in the summer.

Assisted by second year undergraduate student, Antos Kasprzyk, astronomers have discovered the new comet which shares Jupiter's orbit.

Dr Paul Roche, Head of Astronomy at the University said, "It's great to follow-up our asteroid discoveries of the summer with these new comet observations, and to have Antos involved shows that school students and undergraduates can really contribute towards scientific discoveries if they are given access to suitable equipment as part of their studies."

In August this year, work experience student Hannah Blyth helped discover a number of new asteroids as part of a team led by Nick Howes of the Faulkes Telescope Project at the University. Howes, working with Italian amateurs Giovanni Sostero and Ernesto Guido, is leading a programme of asteroid and comet observations, following up new discoveries using remote-controlled 2-metre telescopes in Hawaii and Australia.

This time Howes' team decided to rapidly follow up on observations of an unusual object made recently by an astronomer from America.

BSc Observational Astronomy Antos Kasprzyk used the Faulkes Telescope South in Australia to get a closer look.

He said, "A preliminary orbit immediately showed that this was a highly unusual object, but it was only when we saw the processed images from my observations that its true nature became clear. It is amazing that as a student I have been involved in such a discovery!"

Originally thought to be a Jupiter Trojan asteroid - a rocky object that is trapped in an orbit that leaves it trailing behind the giant gas planet - the Faulkes images now revealed a fuzzy cloud (or "coma") surrounding the object, along with clear signs of a tail, which revealed that it was in fact a comet.

Comets are giant "dirty snowballs", frozen leftovers from the formation of the solar system, and none has ever been seen in such an orbit before.

The object has now been named "Comet P/2010 TO20 (LINEAR-GRAUER)".

Howes said "When we first saw the preliminary orbit, we knew it was a quite remarkable object - and to have a university student involved is terrific for the degree programme at Glamorgan and also for the Faulkes project. We're immensely proud to be part of the announcement released by the International Astronomical Union confirming its nature".

The Faulkes team, and the Glamorgan undergraduates, will continue to study this unique comet over the coming months and years, as it makes its slow progress around the Sun.

http://news.glam.ac.uk/news/en/2011/nov/01/glamorgan-student-helps-discover-unique-new-comet/