Comet McNaught
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| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Robert H. McNaught |
| Discovery date | August 7, 2006 |
| Designations | |
| C/2006 P1, Comet McNaught, 2006 P1 | |
| Orbital characteristics | |
| Epoch | 2453990.5 (September 12, 2006) |
| Perihelion | 0.170753998163775 AU |
| Semi-major axis | -5681.10388683203 AU |
| Eccentricity | 1.00003005648226 |
| Inclination | 77.8276800447699° |
| Next perihelion | January 12, 2007 [1] |
C/2006 P1, also known as Comet McNaught, is a comet that was discovered on August 7, 2006 in Australia by Robert H. McNaught. It will make Perihelion on January 12, 2007, and has become visible to the naked eye. It is visible near Venus, Aquila, and Ophiuchus during sunset in the northern hemisphere. At magnitude -2, it is currently the brightest comet visible since Comet West in 1975, making it the 4th brightest comet seen in 70 years, and the brightest comet in 30 years. [2]. After passing the sun later this month, it will become visible in the southern hemisphere, possibly as a much brighter object than it already is now.
References and external links
- Evening viewing chart
- Article about comet
- Comet orbital elements and diagram
- Astronomy Picture of the Day
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