Ephemeral Visitor to the Great Bear

Comet C/1999 S4 LINEAR
By Martin McKenna

Comet C/1999 S4 LINEAR on July 23rd 2000 in the 8″ F/10 S.Cass at 00.43 BST. The comet was a faint naked eye object low in the bright summer twilight within Ursa Major. I watched with awe as the beautiful tail passed over several background stars dimming their light in the process. I had only started my comet hunting programme two months earlier so this comet was a very nice treat. Much to the surprise of astronomers the comet broke up soon after and disintegrated completely. I recall many mild summer nights watching this comet while being ate my midgets and pleasantly interrupted by bats and a large owl which gave me a visit from time to time.

Martin McKenna