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In late February it was accidentally rediscovered by [[Lubos Kohoutek]] at the [[Hamburg Observatory]], Germany and independently on 1 March by [[Toshihiko Ikemura]] in Shinshiro, Japan. After further observations the comets parabolic orbit was computed, which gave a perihelion date of 23 March 1975 and proved that all three sightings were of the same object, which was accordingly designated 76P/West–Kohoutek–Ikemura.
In late February it was accidentally rediscovered by [[Lubos Kohoutek]] at the [[Hamburg Observatory]], Germany and independently on 1 March by [[Toshihiko Ikemura]] in Shinshiro, Japan. After further observations the comets parabolic orbit was computed, which gave a perihelion date of 23 March 1975 and proved that all three sightings were of the same object, which was accordingly designated 76P/West–Kohoutek–Ikemura.


Further calculations by B.G.Marsden determined the comet's elliptical orbit and revealed that it had passed only 0.012 AU from Jupiter on 22 March 1972. This close approach had reduced its orbital frequency from some 30 years to the current 6.48 years and its perihelion distance from 4.78 AU to 1.60 AU.
Further calculations by [[Brian G. Marsden]] determined the comet's elliptical orbit and revealed that it had passed only 0.012 AU from Jupiter on 22 March 1972. This close approach had reduced its orbital frequency from some 30 years to the current 6.48 years and its perihelion distance from 4.78 AU to 1.60 AU.


The comet has been observed at its successive returns in 1987, 1993, 2000, 2006 and 2013.
The comet has been observed at its successive returns in 1987, 1993, 2000, 2006 and 2013.

Revision as of 11:19, 25 February 2015

76P/West–Kohoutek–Ikemura
Discovery
Discovered byRichard M. West at the European Southern Observatory Sky Atlas Laboratory, Geneva, Lubos Kohoutek at the Hamburg Observatory, Germany and Toshihiko Ikemura in Shinshiro, Japan
Discovery dateJanuary-March 1975
Orbital characteristics
Epoch2014-Dec-9
Aphelion5.345 AU
Perihelion1.6012 AU
Semi-major axis3.4707 AU
Eccentricity0.5387
Orbital period6.48 yr
Inclination30.48°
Last perihelion7 May 2013
Next perihelion26 Oct 2019

76P/West–Kohoutek–Ikemura is a Jupiter-family periodic comet in our Solar System with a current orbital period of 6.48 years. [1] [2]

The comet was initially spotted on a photographic plate by Richard M. West at the European Southern Observatory Sky Atlas Laboratory, Geneva in January 1975, when it had a brightness of magnitude 12. Unable to predict its movement from a single image the comet was presumed lost.

In late February it was accidentally rediscovered by Lubos Kohoutek at the Hamburg Observatory, Germany and independently on 1 March by Toshihiko Ikemura in Shinshiro, Japan. After further observations the comets parabolic orbit was computed, which gave a perihelion date of 23 March 1975 and proved that all three sightings were of the same object, which was accordingly designated 76P/West–Kohoutek–Ikemura.

Further calculations by Brian G. Marsden determined the comet's elliptical orbit and revealed that it had passed only 0.012 AU from Jupiter on 22 March 1972. This close approach had reduced its orbital frequency from some 30 years to the current 6.48 years and its perihelion distance from 4.78 AU to 1.60 AU.

The comet has been observed at its successive returns in 1987, 1993, 2000, 2006 and 2013.


References

  1. ^ "76P/West-Kohoutek-Ikemura". Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Elements and Ephemeris for 76P/West-Kohoutek-Ikemura". International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 25 February 2015.

See also

References

Numbered comets
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