Only three observations by two group members were received until the end of August 2001 of comet 24P/Schaumasse, disturbing for a comet of its brightness. For the following first analysis additional 75 international observatios were taken into account. The brightness evolution can be rather well-described by the formula
resulting in a maximum brightness of 10.6m at the beginning of May, 1m fainter than expected. The coma diameter increased from 1' (60.000 km) in mid-February to 2.5' (170.000 km) at the start of May. Until mid-June the apparent coma diameter had decreased to 2', whereas the absolute coma diameter was nearly constant. The coma was only marginally condensed during the whole apparition. The degree of condensation was estimated as DC 2-3 pre-perihelion and DC 1-2 post-perihelion.
Total Brightness and Coma diameter
Andreas Kammerer
