18D/Perrine–Mrkos

18D/Perrine–Mrkos
Discovery
Discovered by Charles Dillon Perrine & Antonín Mrkos
Discovery date December 9, 1896
Alternative
designations
1896 X1; 1896 VII;
1896g; 1909 P1;
1909 III; 1909b;
1955 U1; 1955 VII;
1955i; 1962 I;
1961h; 1968 VIII;
1968h
Orbital characteristics A
Epoch 2002-09-03 (JD 2452520.5)
Aphelion 5.8537 AU
Perihelion 1.2872 AU
Semi-major axis 3.5705 AU
Eccentricity 0.6395
Orbital period 6.75 a
Inclination 17.864°
Last perihelion 2009 Apr. 17?[1]
(unobserved)
Next perihelion 2017 Feb. 26,[1] (Lost)

18D/Perrine–Mrkos is a periodic comet in the Solar System, originally discovered by the American-Argentine astronomer Charles Dillon Perrine (Lick Observatory, California, United States) on December 9, 1896. For some time it was thought to be a fragment of Biela's Comet.[2]

It was considered lost after the 1909 appearance, but was rediscovered by the Czech astronomer Antonín Mrkos (Skalnate Pleso Observatory, Slovakia) on October 19, 1955, using ordinary binoculars, it was later confirmed as 18D by Leland E. Cunningham (Leuschner Observatory, University of California, Berkeley).

The comet was last observed during the 1968 perihelion passage when it passed 0.3144 AU (47,030,000 km; 29,230,000 mi) from the Earth.[3] The comet has not been observed during the following perihelion passages:[1]

The next predicted perihelion passage would be on 2017 Feb. 26,[1] but the comet is currently considered lost.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Seiichi Yoshida (2009-09-19). "18D/Perrine-Mrkos". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  2. Kronk, Gary W. (2001–2005). "18D/Perrine-Mrkos". Archived from the original on 6 May 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-09. (Cometography Home Page)
  3. "JPL Close-Approach Data: 18D/Perrine-Mrkos" (1968-12-26 last obs). Retrieved 2012-02-22.

External links

Numbered comets
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17P/Holmes
18D/Perrine–Mrkos Next
19P/Borrelly


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