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Photographer:

Mike Olason

Location of Photo:

Denver, Colorado

Date/Time of photo:

5 May 2018, 0739UT

Equipment:

11" SCT f/6.4 and STF-8300M CCD Camera

Description:

Comet P/2018 H2 PANSTARRS was magnitude 18.6 and 113 million miles from Earth in this image. The comet was at perihelion last January 23 when it was 188 million miles from the Sun in its 9.25 year orbit. It made a close approach to Earth on April 29 when it was 112 million miles from Earth. The comet is currently about as bright as it will get. If the comet is rediscovered in about 9 years when it returns to the inner Solar System it will be given an official Periodic Comet designation. Also in the image is magnitude 18.7 Asteroid 97194. It is to the lower left of the comet near the brightest star in the image.

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