118P when 2AU from the Sun | |
Discovery | |
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Discovered by | Carolyn S. Shoemaker Eugene Merle Shoemaker David H. Levy |
Discovery date | February 9, 1991 |
Designations | |
Alternative designations | 118P/1991 C2; 1990 XII; 1991f; 118P/1995 M1 |
Orbital characteristics | |
Epoch | May 1, 2009 (JD 2454952.5) |
Aphelion | 4.943 AU |
Perihelion | 1.984 AU |
Semi-major axis | 3.463 AU |
Eccentricity | 0.4272 |
Orbital period | 6.45 yr |
Inclination | 8.509° |
Last perihelion | 2022-Nov-24 June 16, 2016 January 2, 2010 |
Next perihelion | 2029-01-11 |
118P/Shoemaker–Levy (also known as periodic comet Shoemaker–Levy 4) is a comet discovered by astronomers Carolyn and Eugene M. Shoemaker and David Levy.
During the 2010 apparition the comet became as bright as apparent magnitude 11.5.
The comet nucleus is estimated to be 4.8 kilometers in diameter.
On December 3, 2015, comet Shoemaker–Levy 4 will pass 0.0442 AU (6,610,000 km; 4,110,000 mi) from asteroid 4 Vesta.
This comet should not be confused with Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 (D/1993 F2) which spectacularly crashed into Jupiter in 1994.
References
- ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4" (2009-11-28 last obs). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
- ^ "118P/Shoemaker–Levy Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
- ^ Syuichi Nakano (2009-09-01). "118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4 (NK 1820)". OAA Computing and Minor Planet Sections. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
- Seiichi Yoshida (2008-11-26). "118P/Shoemaker–Levy 4". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
- Seiichi Yoshida (2010-01-17). "Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2010 Jan. 16: North)". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 2010-03-04.
- "JPL Close-Approach Data: 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4" (2009-11-28 last obs). Retrieved 2010-03-03.
External links
- Orbital simulation from JPL (Java) / Horizons Ephemeris
- 118P magnitude plot for 2010
- http://jcometobs.web.fc2.com/pcmtn/0118p.htm
- 118P on Kronk's Cometography
Numbered comets | ||
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118P/Shoemaker–Levy | Next 119P/Parker–Hartley |
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