Comet Zanotta–Brewington, formally designated as C/1991 Y1, is a non-periodic comet that was observed telescopically between December 1991 and May 1992. It was discovered independently by both astronomers, Mauro V. Zanotta and Howard J. Brewington.
Physical characteristics Photometric studies conducted at the La Silla Observatory revealed that the comet has a relatively high gas production rate (in comparison to 4P/Faye) at 110 × 1021 molec s−1/cm−1 during perihelion, which decreased with cyanogen activity by March 1992.
Zanotta–Brewington's production rate ratio was compared to that of C/1991 X2 (Mueller) while both comets were around from the Sun using CCD spectroscopy. While their / ratios were identical, Zannota–Brewington's CN/ ratio is found to be two times less than what was observed at Mueller.
Orbit In September 1993, Brian G. Marsden calculated an orbit that spans the comet's entire observation arc (130 days). He noted that the comet was weakly hyperbolic during its inbound trajectory, indicating it was a dynamically new comet originating from the Oort cloud. Gravitational perturbations of the giant planets has reduced the comet's relative velocity enough to attain a highly eccentric orbit that lasts for roughly 27,000 years during its outbound trajectory.
See also 97P/Metcalf–Brewington C/1989 W1 (Aarseth–Brewington)
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