75D/Kohoutek

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.[2] Assuming the comet has not disintegrated the 2020-2021 perihelion passage is only expected to peak around apparent magnitude 20.

75D/Kohoutek
Discovery
Discovered byLuboš Kohoutek, Hamburg-Bergedorf Observatory
Discovery dateFebruary 1975
Orbital characteristics [[1] A]
Epoch2014-07-02 (JD 2456840.5)
Aphelion5.3 AU
Perihelion1.8 AU
Semi-major axis3.5 AU
Orbital period~7 years
Inclination5.9°
Last perihelionJuly 2014(?)
(last seen 1988)
Next perihelionLost (March 2021?)

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.[2][3] Apparitions have been dim, with the brightest being in 1988 at about apparent magnitude 13.[2] 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.[3]

This comet was last observed by Mauna Kea on 19 May 1988.[1] The Minor Planet Center has given the comet a "D/" designation as the comet is believed to be lost.[1][4] The comet is calculated to come to opposition in October 2020 in the constellation of Pisces.

See also

References
  1. "75D/Kohoutek Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2014-10-30.
  2. Kronk, Gary W. "75P/Kohoutek". Cometography. Archived from the original on 2009-08-25. Retrieved 2014-10-30.
  3. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 75D/Kohoutek". Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
  4. "Cometary Designation System". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2015-06-17.


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