39P/Oterma
Periodic comet with 19 year orbit / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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39P/Oterma is a currently inactive periodic comet with an orbital period of nearly 20 years that stays outside the orbit of Jupiter. The nucleus has a diameter around 4–5 km.[6] It was last observed in August 2021 and came to perihelion in July 2023 while 1.2 AU from Jupiter.[2] It will finish the modest approach to Jupiter in January 2025[7] and will next come to perihelion in July 2042 at distance of 5.9 AU from the Sun.[1] Opposition has occurred on 11 November 2023.[8]
Quick Facts Discovery, Discovered by ...
Discovery | |
---|---|
Discovered by | Liisi Oterma |
Discovery date | 8 April 1943 |
Designations | |
1942 VII; 1950 III; 1958 IV; 39P/2001 P3 | |
Orbital characteristics | |
Epoch | 2023-06-25 |
Aphelion | 8.75 AU |
Perihelion | 5.707 AU |
Semi-major axis | 7.228 AU |
Eccentricity | 0.2105 |
Orbital period | 19.43 yr |
Max. orbital speed | 13.2 km/s[1] |
Min. orbital speed | 8.6 km/s (2013-Feb-15) |
Inclination | 1.5470° |
Last perihelion | 2023-Jul-13 (JPL)[2] 11 July 2023[3][4][5] 22 December 2002[4][5] |
Next perihelion | 2042-Jul-12[1] |
Physical characteristics | |
Dimensions | 4–5 km[6] |
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