88P/Howell

88P/Howell
Discovery
Discovered by Ellen Howell
Discovery date August 29, 1981
Alternative
designations
1981 X; 1987 VI; 1993 II
Orbital characteristics A
Epoch March 6, 2006
Aphelion 4.865 AU
Perihelion 1.366 AU
Semi-major axis 3.116 AU
Eccentricity 0.5615
Orbital period 5.5 a
Inclination 4.3831°
Dimensions 4.4 km[1]
Last perihelion April 6, 2015[2][3]
Next perihelion 2020

88P/Howell is a periodic comet in the solar system. It was discovered on 29 August 1981.[4] In 1975 the comet's perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) was 1.9 AU,[5] But a close approach to Jupiter in 1978[1] perturbed the perihelion distance closer to the Sun.

It last came to perihelion on 6 April 2015; the next occurrence will be in 2020.[2]

Around 14 September 2031 the comet will pass 0.074 AU (11,100,000 km; 6,900,000 mi) from Mars.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "JPL Close-Approach Data: 88P/Howell" (last observation: 2014-04-08; arc: 11.18 years). Retrieved 2014-10-27.
  2. 1 2 Seiichi Yoshida (2011-07-22). "88P/Howell". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
  3. Patrick Rocher (February 6, 2011). "Note number : 0081 P/Howell : 88P". Institut de mécanique céleste et de calcul des éphémérides. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
  4. Kronk, Gary W. "88P/Howell". Cometography. Retrieved 2014-11-01.
  5. "88P/Howell Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2014-11-01.

External links

Numbered comets
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87P/Bus
88P/Howell Next
89P/Russell


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