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C/1983 H1 (IRAS–Araki–Alcock)

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Long-period comet

For the other four comets discovered by George Alcock, see Comet Alcock.
C/1983 H1
(IRAS–Araki–Alcock)
Comet IRAS–Araki–Alcock photographed by Russell E. Milton on 11 May 1983
Discovery
Discovered byIRAS
George Alcock
Genichi Araki
Discovery date25 April 1983
Designations
Alternative designations1983d
1983 VII
Orbital characteristics
Epoch13 May 1983 (JD 2445467.5)
Observation arc160 days
Number of
observations		347
Aphelion195.08 AU
Perihelion0.9913 AU
Semi-major axis98.034 AU
Eccentricity0.98989
Orbital period970.49 years
Inclination73.251°
Longitude of
ascending node		49.102°
Argument of
periapsis		192.85°
Last perihelion21 May 1983
TJupiter0.408
Earth MOID0.0058 AU
Jupiter MOID3.0838 AU
Physical characteristics
Dimensions9.2 km (5.7 mi)
Geometric albedo0.02
Comet total
magnitude (M1)		12.6
Apparent magnitude3–4
(1983 apparition)

Comet IRAS–Araki–Alcock (formal designation C/1983 H1, formerly 1983 VII) is a long-period comet that, in 1983, made the closest known approach to Earth of any comet in the last 200 years, at a distance of about 0.0312 AU (4.67 million km; 2.90 million mi).

Discovery and observations

A false colour image of Comet IRAS–Araki–Alcock in 1983, viewed in infrared light by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS)
This figure combines an International Ultraviolet Explorer FES image showing its diffuse tail, and the long-wavelength redundant (LWR) spectrum depicting the molecular emission lines of sulfur (S2) and hydroxyl (OH).

The comet was named after its discoverers – the Infrared Astronomical Satellite and two amateur astronomers, George Alcock of the United Kingdom and Genichi Araki of Japan. Both men were schoolteachers by profession, although Alcock was retired. Alcock had made his discovery simply by observing through the window of his home, using binoculars. During the closest approach, the comet appeared as a circular cloud about the size of the full moon, having no discernible tail, and shining at a naked eye magnitude of 3–4. It swept across the sky at an angular speed of about 30 degrees per day. On May 11 the comet was detected on radar by Arecibo Observatory and Goldstone Solar System Radar making it the first comet detected by two different radar systems. A second detection was made by Goldstone on 14 May.

It is a long-period comet, with an orbital period of about 970 years, and is the parent comet of the minor Eta Lyrid meteor shower. This shower's radiant lies between Vega and Cygnus and produces 1 or 2 meteors an hour in mid-May with a peak between 9 May and 11 May.

Flyby

The comet passed from north to south between 9 May to 13 May, passing through Ursa Major towards Cancer. Its motion is marked every 2 hours here.
Moving north to south, it crossed just inside the Earth's orbit on 11 May.

Comet IRAS–Araki–Alcock made its closest approach to Earth in 1983, at a distance of about 0.0312 AU (4.67 million km; 2.90 million mi). It was the closest approach up to that time of any comet in the last 200 years; only Lexell's Comet (1770) and 55P/Tempel–Tuttle (1366) are thought to have come closer. Subsequently, on 12 June 1999, the small comet P/1999 J6 (SOHO) passed about 0.012 AU (1.8 million km; 1.1 million mi) from Earth. What was thought to be a small fragment of 252P/LINEAR, now called 460P/PANSTARRS, passed at a distance of 0.0237 AU (3.55 million km; 2.20 million mi) on 22 March 2016.

References

  1. B. G. Marsden (4 May 1983). "Comet IRAS-Araki-Alcock (1983d)". Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams. 3796. Bibcode:1983IAUC.3796....1D.
  2. "IRAS–Araki–Alcock, Comet (C/1983 H1)". Oxford Reference. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  3. ^ A. Hale (9 May 2020). "Comet of the Week: IRAS-Araki-Alcock (1983d)". RocketSTEM.org. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  4. ^ "C/1983 H1 (IRAS–Araki–Alcock) – JPL Small-Body Database Lookup". ssd.jpl.nasa.gov. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  5. "Obituary of George Alcock". BBC News. 21 December 2000.
  6. "Outbreak of Comet Fever". Time. 23 May 1983. Archived from the original on 14 November 2007.
  7. ^ J. K. Harmon; D. B. Campbell; S. J. Ostro; M. C. Nolan (1999). "Radar observations of comets" (PDF). Planetary and Space Science. 47 (12): 1409–1422. doi:10.1016/S0032-0633(99)00068-9.
  8. "Eta Lyrids". Meteor Showers Online. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  9. "Closest Approaches to the Earth by Comets". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  10. "P/1999 J6 (SOHO) – JPL Small-Body Database Lookup". ssd.jpl.nasa.gov. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  11. "NEO Earth Close Approaches". neo.jpl.nasa.gov. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.

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