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|---|---|
| Discovered by | John Caister Bennett |
| Discovery date | 1969 |
| Designations | |
| Alternative designations | Comet Bennett, 1969 Y1 |
| Orbital characteristics | |
| Epoch | 2440680.5 (April 4, 1970) |
| Aphelion | 282 AU |
| Perihelion | 0.538 AU |
| Semi-major axis | 141 AU |
| Eccentricity | 0.9962 |
| Orbital period | 1678 a |
| Inclination | 90.0° |
| Last perihelion | March 20, 1970 |
| Next perihelion | 3600s |
Comet Bennett, formally known as C/1969 Y1 (old style 1970 II and 1969i), was one of two brilliant comets to grace earth in the 1970s, along with Comet West. The name is also borne by an altogether different comet, C/1974 V2.
Discovered by John Caister Bennett on December 28, 1969 while still almost two AUs from the Sun, it reached perihelion on March 20, passing closest to Earth on March 26, 1970 as it receded, peaking at magnitude 0. It was last observed on February 27, 1971.
Comet Bennett was scheduled to be photographed by Apollo 13 on April 14, 1970 after the crew finished their television broadcast. Shortly after completing the manoeuvre to orient the spacecraft for the photo the famous malfunction of the spacecraft prevented the photo from being taken.
References
- ^ C&MS: C/1969 Y1 (Bennett)
- "Apollo Expeditions to the Moon: Chapter 13". history.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
- Apollo 13 Accident – Flight Director Loop Part 1, retrieved 2015-06-05
External links
- Cometography.com
- Orbital simulation from JPL (Java) / Ephemeris
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