Comet naming question (all in the past)
In a recent discussion with Carl Hergenrother, ALPO comet

co-ordinator, about comets 12P and 13P, (both of which

are in visible from Earth today and both near perihelion)

there was mention of their respective naming.

12P is now named Pons-Brooks having first been discovered

by Louis Pons at Marseille France on the morning of 1812

July 21. The discovery/recovery of this comet was made by

William Brooks at Phelps NY USA 1883 September 2.Brooks

was presumably engaged in one of his many regular sweeps

at the time searching for comets. The comet was intially

named 1812 O1 when discovered by Pons and then 1883 R1

when discovered by Brooks and subsequently renamed as 12P

Pons-Brooks once the periodic nature of the comet had

been established.

13P is named Olbers. It was discovered by H.W.M. Olbers

at Bremen Germany on 1815 March 6. The discovery/recovery

of this comet was made by William Brooks Phelps NY USA on

1887 August 25. Again Brooks was presumably engaged in

one of his regular sweeps for comet discovery. This comet

was initially named 1815 E1 after Olbers discovery and

1887 Q1 when discovered by Brooks. The comet was

subsequently named 13P Olbers after its periodic nature

had been established.

The discovery/recovery circumstances of both comets seem

similar, so I wonder why, in today's nomenclature, 12P

was renamed Pons-Brooks and 13P only named after Olbers?

A curiosity in the complicated system of comet naming

protocols.Is there a rational behind the naming of these

two famous comets?

Denis Buczynski Secretary BAA Comet Section