Comet 1999 K5 LINEAR

A 13th magnitude comet that was visible in the far southern sky during late 2000 and early 2001 was 1999 K5 LINEAR. The comet was not visible in a 12" telescope and being far south I had not heard anything about it. So it was quite a surprise when I imaged it, to find such a 'bright' comet with a good tail.

Comet 1999 K5 LINEAR August 28, 2000
Combination of 2, 5 minute images, Meade 416XTE CCD. 300mm f/6 newtonian at prime focus.

Comet 1999 K5 LINEAR October 28, 2000
Combination of 2, 5 minute images, Meade 416XTE CCD. 300mm f/6 newtonian at prime focus.

Comet 1999 K5 LINEAR January 29, 2001
Combination of 2, 5 minute images, Meade 416XTE CCD. 300mm f/6 newtonian at prime focus.

Comet 1999 K5 LINEAR January 30, 2001
Combination of 2, 5 minute images, Meade 416XTE CCD. 300mm f/6 newtonian at prime focus.

I do not know of any visual observations of this comet, despite it reaching 13th magnitude. Most likely this was because the comet was deep in the southern sky and would have needed at least a 16" telescope. The comet displayed a nice short tail which in the image above is seen passing over an anonymous galaxy.