43P/Wolf–Harrington is a periodic comet discovered on December 22, 1924, by Max Wolf in Heidelberg, Germany.[1] In 2019 it passed within 0.065 AU (9,700,000 km; 6,000,000 mi) of Jupiter,[1] which lifted the perihelion point and increased the orbital period to 9 years.[5]

43P/Wolf–Harrington
Discovery
Discovered byMax Wolf
@Heidelberg (024)[1]
Discovery dateDecember 22, 1924
Orbital characteristics
EpochMay 1, 2009
(JD 2454952.5)
Aphelion5.347 AU (Q)
Perihelion1.356 AU (q)
Semi-major axis3.352 AU (a)
Eccentricity0.5952
Orbital period6.14 yr
Inclination15.98°
Last perihelionAugust 19, 2016[2]
July 1, 2010[2][3]
March 17, 2004[2][3]
Next perihelion2025-Aug-04[4]
Jupiter MOID0.07 AU (10,000,000 km)
The Outward Migration of 43P
Year (epoch) 2017[4] 2020 2025[4]
Semi-major axis 3.35 4.30 4.33
Perihelion 1.35 2.39 2.44
Aphelion 5.34 6.20 6.22

During the 1997 apparition the comet reached an apparent magnitude a little bit brighter than 12.[5]

The comet had an unfavorable apparition in 2010, because during perihelion (closest approach to the Sun), the comet was only 10 degrees from the Sun as seen from Earth. The comet was not more favorably positioned in the sky until mid October 2010.

The comet nucleus is estimated to be 3.6 kilometers in diameter.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 43P/Wolf-Harrington" (last observation: 2010-01-24). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
  2. ^ a b c Seiichi Yoshida (2009-05-30). "43P/Wolf-Harrington". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
  3. ^ a b Syuichi Nakano (2005-10-24). "43P/Wolf-Harrington (NK 1263)". OAA Computing and Minor Planet Sections. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
  4. ^ a b c "43P/Wolf-Harrington Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  5. ^ a b Kronk, Gary W. "43P/Wolf-Harrington". Archived from the original on 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2010-03-02.()
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Numbered comets
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