74P/Smirnova–Chernykh

74P/Smirnova–Chernykh

74P (apmag ~17; 3.6AU from the Sun) near galaxy PGC 49413
Discovery
Discovered by Tamara Mikhailovna Smirnova
Nikolai Stepanovich Chernykh
Discovery date March 4, 1975
Alternative
designations
1967 XV; 1975 VII; 1984 V;
1992 XXI
Orbital characteristics A
Epoch May 1, 2009
Aphelion 4.790 AU
Perihelion 3.557 AU
Semi-major axis 4.173 AU
Eccentricity 0.1485
Orbital period 8.53 yr
Inclination 6.647°
Last perihelion July 30, 2009[1]
Next perihelion January 26, 2018[2]

74P/Smirnova–Chernykh is a periodic comet in the Solar System. It fits the definition of an Encke-type comet with (TJupiter > 3; a < aJupiter),[3] and is a Quasi-Hilda comet.[4] It was discovered in late March 1975 by Tamara Mikhajlovna Smirnova while examining exposures from the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory.[5] In the discovery images the comet had an apparent magnitude of ~15.[5] In the year of discovery, the comet came to perihelion on August 6, 1975.[5]

The comet had been photographed during 1967, but was identified as an asteroid and assigned the designation 1967 EU.[1]

The comet is estimated at about 4.46 km in diameter, and currently has an orbit contained completely inside of the orbit of Jupiter.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 Seiichi Yoshida (2005-08-28). "74P/Smirnova-Chernykh". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  2. Syuichi Nakano (2007-07-09). "74P/Smirnova-Chernykh (NK 1485)". OAA Computing and Minor Planet Sections. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
  3. 1 2 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 2009-12-30 last obs
  4. Toth, I. (March 2006). "The quasi-Hilda subgroup of ecliptic comets - an update". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 448 (3): 1191–1196. Bibcode:2006A&A...448.1191T. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20053492.
  5. 1 2 3 Kronk, Gary W. "74P/Smirnova-Chernykh". Retrieved 2010-01-25. (Cometography Home Page)

External links

Numbered comets
Previous
73P/Schwassmann–Wachmann
74P/Smirnova–Chernykh Next
75D/Kohoutek
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 3/29/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.