< 75D

75D/Kohoutek

75D/Kohoutek
Image of the orbit of the 75D/Kohoutek comet
Discovery
Discovered byLuboš Kohoutek
Discovery siteHamburg-Bergedorf Observatory
Discovery date9 February 1975
Designations
D/1975 C1
D/1980 P1
  • 1975 III, 1981 IX, 1987 XXVII
  • 1975c, 1980j, 1986k
Orbital characteristics[1][2]
Epoch25 February 2023 (JD 2460000.5)
Observation arc13.27 years
Number of
observations		81
Aphelion5.3 AU
Perihelion1.773 AU
Semi-major axis3.538 AU
Eccentricity0.49889
Orbital period~6.66 years
Inclination5.92°
269.6°
Argument of
periapsis		175.5°
Mean anomaly106.6°
Last perihelion7 March 2021?[3]
(last seen 1988)
Next perihelion2 November 2027?[3]
(Predicted)
TJupiter2.894
Earth MOID0.8 AU
Physical characteristics[1]
Mean diameter
4.6 km (2.9 mi)
Comet total
magnitude (M1)		10.5
Comet nuclear
magnitude (M2)		14.5
14.0
(1975 apparition)

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.[4] 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 (21.4 million km) from Jupiter on 28 July 1972.[4][1] Apparitions have been dim, with the brightest being in 1988 at about apparent magnitude 13.[4] 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 km (2.9 mi) in diameter.[1]

This comet was last observed by Mauna Kea on 19 May 1988.[2] The Minor Planet Center has given the comet a "D/" designation as the comet is believed to be lost.[2][5] The comet is calculated to come to opposition in October 2020 in the constellation of Pisces.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "75D/Kohoutek – JPL Small-Body Database Lookup". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "75D/Kohoutek Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  3. 1 2 S. Yoshida (31 October 2021). "75D/Kohoutek". www.aerith.net. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 G. W. Kronk. "75P/Kohoutek". Cometography.com. Archived from the original on 25 August 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  5. ↑ "Cometary Designation System". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
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