Comet Meunier-Dupouy C/1997 J2


In the night of the 7th May 1997, the observatory chairman Philippe Dupouy found the comet very close to another comet recently discovered by Jean Mueller, an american astonomer of the Palomar mount. Here Philippe explains his discovery . This comet was discovered at the same time by Philippe and by Michel Meunier, an amator astronomer who lived close to Paris.

This comet have been photographed until november 1998 when it became impossible to take a photo of it. During one year and a half this comet have been photographed and seen with a reflector. Although the comet was far from Earth, its higher magnitude was about 11. Thus we could see it with the T318 and the T250.  

   control-room

   J-F lahitte, Ph. Dupouy in control room observatory (1996)

LX 200

The famous LX 200, serial 826043 (after replacement RA motor )

note , one comet and two asteroids discovered by this.


This comet have an high period and it orbit follow an hyperbolic curve. It won't come back close to the earth. Here you could see some pictures of this comet.


Pictures of C/1997 J2 Meunier-Dupouy comet

Let's start with the pictures of the discovery. The following animation show the moving of two blured objets. At the top, C/1997 J1 Mueller comet found the 5th of May 1997 move rapidly, the other one is C/1997 J2 Meunier-Dupouy found the 7th of May.

Comet discovery animation
Pictures of the discovery


Some pictures taken in august 1998 (click on the picture to enlarge it)

Picture taken in the night of the 27th of august 1998.
Comet Meunier-Dupouy the 27/08/98 - Size: 98Ko
Place: Dax Observatory (IAU code: 958)
Date: 27/08/98
Instrument used: LX200, F/D=3,3
Camera: Hisis 22, 12 bits
Exposure: 540s (9 exposes of 60s)
Picture field: 19'x17'
Binning 1x1, without filter

Picture taken in the night of the 28th of august 1998.
Comet Meunier-Dupouy the 28/08/98 - size: 102Ko
Place: Dax Observatory (IAU code: 958)
Date: 28/08/98
Instrument used: LX200, F/D=3,3
Camera: Hisis 22, 12 bits
Exposure: 540s (9 exposures of 60s)
Picture field: 19'x17'
Binning 1x1, without filter

Picture taken in the night of the 29th of august 1998.
Comet Meunier-Dupouy the 29/08/98 - size: 103Ko
Place: Dax Observatory (IAU code: 958)
Date: 29/08/98
Instrument used: LX200, F/D=3,3
Camera: Hisis 22, 12 bits
Exposure: 540s (9 exposures of 60s)
Picture field: 19'x17'
Binning 1x1, without filter