Identification of a new short-period comet near the sun

Abstract

We present the identification of comet C/1999 R1 (SOHO) with comet C/2003 R5 (SOHO). Both apparitions were only observed with the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) at distances smaller than 0.1 AU from the sun with the LASCO coronagraphs onboard the spacecraft. Although SOHO comets usually have poor orbital coverage, the 1999 and 2003 arcs are sufficient to generate a link that seems to satisfy all observations. We also analyze comet C/2002 R5 (SOHO) which has similar orbital elements. A fragmentation scenario is proposed and discussed which would support the linkage of C/1999 R1 and C/2003 R5 and thus its short periodic nature.