Comet C/2006 VZ13 (LINEAR) (also written C/2006 VZ13), is a non-periodic comet discovered November 13, 2006 by the LINEAR.
Discovery | |
---|---|
Discovered by | LINEAR |
Discovery date | November 13, 2006 |
Orbital characteristics | |
Epoch | 2007 June 18.0 |
Perihelion | 1.015253 |
Eccentricity | 1.000249 |
Inclination | 134.7933 |
Last perihelion | 2007 August 10.8915 |
Earth MOID | 0.00467 AU (699,000 km; 434,000 mi) |
The object was initially believed to be a minor planet due to its stellar appearance in the early images. However, observers soon detected a small coma and the telltale green cometary cast.
The comet peaked at approximately magnitude +7.5,[1] much brighter than predicted. The comet made Earth approach on July 14, 2007 at a distance of 0.575 AU. Perihelion was August 10, 2007 at a distance of 1.015 AU.
Additional Images
edit-
Comet C/2006 VZ13 LINEAR, taken by Robert Sharpe at Shuttleview observatory on July 14, 2007. Also in the picture is the galaxy NGC 5820
See also
editReferences and footnotes
editExternal links
edit- Comet's trail to August 3
- - Comet LINEAR Graces The Northern Sky
- - Seiichi Yoshida's C/2006 VZ13 page