Recovery of Returning Halley-Type Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks With the Lowell Discovery Telescope

Abstract

We report the recovery of returning Halley-type comet 12P/Pons-Brooks using the 4.3 m Lowell Discovery Telescope, at a heliocentric distance of 11.89 au. Comparative analysis with a dust model suggests that the comet may have been active since $\sim 30$ au from the Sun. We derive a nucleus radius of $17\pm 6$ km from the nucleus photometry, though this number is likely an overestimation due to the contamination from dust and gas. Continuing monitoring is encouraged in anticipation of the comet's forthcoming perihelion in 2024 April.

Submitted to RNAAS