Discovery | |
---|---|
Discovered by | Luboš Kohoutek, Hamburg-Bergedorf Observatory |
Discovery date | February 1975 |
Orbital characteristics | |
Epoch | 2014-07-02 (JD 2456840.5) |
Aphelion | 5.3 AU |
Perihelion | 1.8 AU |
Semi-major axis | 3.5 AU |
Orbital period | ~7 years |
Inclination | 5.9° |
Last perihelion | July 2014(?) (last seen 1988) |
Next perihelion | Lost (March 2021?) |
75D/Kohoutek is a short-period comet discovered in February 1975, by Luboš Kohoutek. Even on the discovery plate the comet was only apparent magnitude 14. [1] Assuming the comet has not disintegrated the 2020-2021 perihelion passage is only expected to peak around apparent magnitude 20.
Not to be confused with the much better-known C/1973 E1 (Kohoutek), 75D is a repeat visitor to the inner Solar System, with a period of about seven years. It was placed on the discovery orbit when it passed 0.143 AU (21,400,000 km; 13,300,000 mi) from Jupiter on 28 July 1972. [1] [2] Apparitions have been dim, with the brightest being in 1988 at about apparent magnitude 13. [1] It was not seen in 1994, 2000, 2007, nor on its last predicted return in 2014. The comet has been estimated to be 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi) in diameter. [2]
This comet was last observed by Mauna Kea on 19 May 1988. [3] The Minor Planet Center has given the comet a "D/" designation as the comet is believed to be lost. [3] [4] The comet is calculated to come to opposition in October 2020 in the constellation of Pisces.[ needs update]