Re: 1957 Comet

["Tom K. McCarthy" <mcca6300@spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov>]

I believe that both tails, oriented at 180 degrees, were ion tails, and 
that the smaller, fore generated tail was created by a jet of gas that 
was created when the sun sublimed that particular area of the nucleus.  I 
have not seen photos of a distinct gas and dust tail with Arend-Roland.  
Both are listed as 1957 comets but one may have been at the end of the year.

On Tue, 26 Mar 1996 KARSHNER@STMARYTX.EDU wrote:

> Margaret,
> 	I think the comet you were thinking of was Arend-Roland, but I don't
> remember it as large. I just remember finding it in a small telescope and being
> able to discern its two tails. They stuck out on opposite sides of the coma. It
> was coming in our direction and the ion and dust tails were well separated.
> pictures of it look a little like a narwhale. 
> 	I hope this helps.
> Gary
> P.S. I hope things warm up as this comet is quit a site, we have a thunder
> storm that is ending our drought. Truely a mixed blessing.

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Tom K. McCarthy   Email:mcca6300@spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov