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Bulgarian Journal of Physics
Print: 1310-0157 Online: 1314-2666
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RECOGNIZED BY THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY 
Bulg. J. Phys. vol.34 no.s2 (2007), pp. 282-286
Photometry of the split comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 from November 2005 to April 2006
T. Bonev1, B. Bilkina1, G. Borisov1, Z. Donchev1, Al. Ivanova1, V. Ivanova1, Kl. Jockers2, A. Kostov1, Vl. Krumov1, E. Ovcharov3
1Institute of Astronomy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
2Max-Planck-Institute for Solar System Research, Germany
3Department of Astronomy, Sofia University
go back1Institute of Astronomy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
2Max-Planck-Institute for Solar System Research, Germany
3Department of Astronomy, Sofia University
Abstract. In 1995, two perihelion passages ago, comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 split into at least 3 fragments. In May 2006 the comet will approach the Earth to only 0.08 AU. This will give an unique opportunity to observe the dust and gas environment of the particular fragments with high spatial resolution. In preparation for this event we conducted CCD imaging photometry observations of the fragments of comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3.