C/2001 A2 (LINEAR) Brightens Unexpectedly

By Lew Gramer - Meteorbs News

As noted below, C/2001 A2 (LINEAR) has brightened significantly. It is now clear that this is not an outburst in the classic sense. If it was, the comet would have faded by now. It also seems unlikely that the nucleus has broken up.

There has been no specific evidence to support that conclusion. Rather, as noted below as one of the possible explanations, I now believe that a major vent, not previously exposed to sunlight, has opened up (or moved into the sunlight via precession of the rotation of the nucleus). If this is true, this comet may well reach naked-eye brightness. The comet is currently (by my estimate) magnitude 6.7.

If it now followed a standard formula (perhaps unlikely), it would reach about magnitude 4.0-4.5 in June. If it happens, it will be a nice treat. Although don't expect a long bright tail. This comet appears to be dust-poor so the tail is likely to be faint.

A word of warning...if it is a major vent that has caused this activity, it can shut down as quickly as it turned on. Don't be surprised if there is a sudden drop in brightness at some point.