138P/Shoemaker–Levy, also known as Shoemaker–Levy 7, is a faint periodic comet in the Solar System. The comet last came to perihelion on 11 June 2012,[2] but only brightened to about apparent magnitude 20.5.[3]
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Carolyn S. Shoemaker Eugene Merle Shoemaker David H. Levy |
| Discovery date | November 13, 1991 |
| Designations | |
| 1991 XIX; 1998 O1 | |
| Orbital characteristics | |
| Epoch | March 6, 2006 |
| Aphelion | 5.548 AU |
| Perihelion | 1.707 AU |
| Semi-major axis | 3.628 AU |
| Eccentricity | 0.5294 |
| Orbital period | 6.91 a |
| Inclination | 10.0797° |
| Last perihelion | May 2, 2019[1] June 11, 2012[2] July 19, 2005 |
| Next perihelion | 2026-Mar-24[1] |
There were 4 recovery images of 138P on 8 August 2018 by Pan-STARRS when the comet had a magnitude of about 21.5.[1] The comet comes to perihelion on 2 May 2019.
This comet should not be confused with Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 (D/1993 F2), which crashed into Jupiter in 1994.
References
edit- ^ a b c "138P/Shoemaker-Levy Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
- ^ a b Syuichi Nakano (2009-04-22). "138P/Shoemaker-Levy 7 (NK 1768)". OAA Computing and Minor Planet Sections. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
- ^ Seiichi Yoshida (2012-02-21). "138P/Shoemaker-Levy 7 (2012)". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
External links
edit- Orbital simulation from JPL (Java) / Horizons Ephemeris
- 138P/Shoemaker-Levy 7 – Seiichi Yoshida @ aerith.net
- Elements and Ephemeris for 138P/Shoemaker-Levy – Minor Planet Center
- 138P at Kronk's Cometography
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