41P/Tuttle–Giacobini–Kresák
Comet 41P/Tuttle–Giacobini–Kresák on 2017, 3 March near the galaxy Messier 108 and Owl Nebula.
Discovery
Discovered byHorace Parnell Tuttle
Michel Giacobini
Ľubor Kresák
Discovery dateMay 3, 1858
Designations
1858 III; 1907 III; 1951 IV;
1962 V; 1973 VI; 1978 XXV;
1990 II
Orbital characteristics
EpochMarch 6, 2006
Aphelion5.122 AU
Perihelion1.048 AU
Semi-major axis3.085 AU
Eccentricity0.6604
Orbital period5.419 a
Inclination9.2294°
Last perihelion2022-Sept-12[1]
2017-Apr-12[1]
November 12, 2011[2][3]
(not observed)[4]
June 11, 2006[2][3]
Next perihelion2028-Feb-15[5]
Earth MOID0.13 AU (19,000,000 km)[6]
Jupiter MOID0.48 AU (72,000,000 km)[6]

41P/Tuttle–Giacobini–Kresák is a periodic comet in the Solar System. The comet nucleus is estimated to be 1.4 kilometers in diameter.[6]

Discovered by Horace Parnell Tuttle on May 3, 1858, and re-discovered independently by Michel Giacobini and Ľubor Kresák in 1907 and 1951 respectively, it is a member of the Jupiter family of comets.

2006 apparition

As of June 1, 2006, Comet 41P was a 10th magnitude object for telescopes, located on the Cancer-Leo border, with a predicted maximum of about 10 at perihelion on June 11. This comet is of interest as it has been noted to flare dramatically. In 1973 the flare was 10 magnitudes brighter than predicted, reaching easy naked-eye visibility at apparent magnitude 4.[7] However, by June 22, the comet had diminished to about magnitude 11, having produced no flare of note.

2011 apparition

The comet was not observed during the 2011 unfavorable apparition[4] since the perihelion passage occurred when the comet was on the far side of the Sun.

2017 apparition

41P was recovered on November 10, 2016, at apparent magnitude 21 by Pan-STARRS.[1] On April 1, 2017, the comet passed 0.142 AU (21,200,000 km; 13,200,000 mi) from the Earth.[8] The comet was expected to brighten to around magnitude 7 and be visible in binoculars.[2][9]

Proposed exploration

In the 1960s European Space Research Organisation investigated sending a probe to the comet.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Archived from the original on June 16, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Seiichi Yoshida (December 31, 2006). "41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  3. 1 2 Syuichi Nakano (May 7, 2008). "41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak (NK 1616)". OAA Computing and Minor Planet Sections. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  4. 1 2 Seiichi Yoshida (July 22, 2011). "41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak (2011)". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Horizons Batch for 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak (90000489) on 2028-Feb-15" (Perihelion occurs when rdot flips from negative to positive). JPL Horizons. Retrieved July 6, 2023. (JPL#K171/19 Soln.date: 2023-May-04)
  6. 1 2 3 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak" (August 27, 2006 last obs). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  7. ↑ 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresák (Kronk)
  8. ↑ "JPL Close-Approach Data: 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak" (August 27, 2006 last obs). Archived from the original on December 13, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  9. ↑ Bob King (January 4, 2017). "Bright Comet Prospects for 2017". Sky & Telescope. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  10. ↑ Ulivi, Paolo; Harland, David M (2007). Robotic Exploration of the Solar System Part I: The Golden Age 1957-1982. Springer. p. 89. ISBN 9780387493268.


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