The comet was first discovered by J.V. Scotti (Lunar and Planetary Laboratory) in December 14, 2001 and named comet P/2001 X1 (Scotti). The comet was identified on images taken by the MT. Lemmon survey dating from September 13, 2007 and October 8, 2007. J.V. Scotti (Spacewatch, Kitt Peak) recovered the comet on the 5th September, 2008, and given the name Comet P/2008 R2 (Scotti).
Comet P/2001 X1 = Comet P/2008 R2 (Scotti).
The orbital elements indicate a perihelion passage on February 7, 2009, at a distance of 2.5 AU from the Sun, and a 7.34 years period.
