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31P/Schwassmann–Wachmann

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31P/Schwassmann–Wachmann
Comet 31P/Schwassmann-Wachmann observed on February 14, 2011
Discovery
Discovered byArnold Schwassmann
Arno Arthur Wachmann
Discovery date17 January 1929
Designations
P/1929 B1, P/1934 X1[1]
  • 1929 I, 1935 III, 1942 I
  • 1948 VII, 1955 I, 1961 VII
  • 1968 II, 1974 XIII, 1981 VI
  • 1987 XIX, 1994 II
Orbital characteristics[3][4]
EpochMarch 6, 2006
Aphelion5.048 AU
Perihelion3.416 AU
Semi-major axis4.232 AU
Eccentricity0.1928
Orbital period8.705 a
Inclination4.5487°
Last perihelionJuly 6, 2019
September 29, 2010[2]
January 18, 2002[2]
Next perihelion19 March 2028
Physical characteristics[5]
Mean diameter
6.2 km (3.9 mi)
5.58±0.03 hours
Comet total
magnitude (M1)		7.2
Comet nuclear
magnitude (M2)		14.0

31P/Schwassmann–Wachmann, also known as Schwassmann–Wachmann 2, is a periodic comet in the Solar System. It was discovered on 17 January 1929, at an apparent magnitude of 11.[6] The comet has been seen at every apparition.

The comet nucleus is estimated to be 6.2 km (3.9 mi) in diameter.[3] In 1929, the astronomer Anne Sewell Young identified the comet with an object that had been misidentified as the minor planet "Adelaide" (A904 EB).[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Comet Names and Designations". International Comet Quarterly. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b Seiichi Yoshida (2008-10-26). "31P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 2". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 2010-01-24.
  3. ^ a b "31P/Schwassmann–Wachmann – JPL Small-Body Database Lookup". ssd.jpl.nasa.gov. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
  4. ^ "31P/Schwassmann-Wachmann Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  5. ^ D. C. Jewitt (1997). "Cometary Rotation: An Overview" (PDF). Earth, Moon and Planets. 79: 35–53. Bibcode:1997EM&P...79...35J. doi:10.1023/A:1006272914117.
  6. ^ Kronk, Gary W. "31P/Schwassmann–Wachmann 2". Retrieved 2010-01-24. (Cometography Home Page)
  7. ^ "Long 'Lost' Planet Found Masquerading as Comet". Oakland Tribune. June 21, 1929. p. 31. Retrieved November 9, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
[edit]


Numbered comets
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