29P/Schwassmann–Wachmann
 The comet Schwassmann–Wachmann 1 (Spitzer infrared image in false colours) Nasa | |
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Arnold Schwassmann Arno Arthur Wachmann |
| Discovery date | November 15, 1927 |
| Designations | |
| 1908 IV; 1927 II; 1941 VI; 1957 IV; 1974 II; 1989 XV; | |
| Orbital characteristics | |
| Epoch | March 6, 2006 |
| Aphelion | 6.25 AU |
| Perihelion | 5.722 AU |
| Semi-major axis | 5.986 AU |
| Eccentricity | 0.0441 |
| Orbital period | 14.65 a |
| Inclination | 9.3903° |
| Last perihelion | July 10, 2004[1] |
| Next perihelion | March 7, 2019[2][3] |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | 30.8 km[4] |
Comet 29P/Schwassmann–Wachmann, also known as Schwassmann–Wachmann 1, was discovered on November 15, 1927, by Arnold Schwassmann and Arno Arthur Wachmann at the Hamburg Observatory in Bergedorf, Germany.[5] It was discovered photographically, when the comet was in outburst and the magnitude was about 13.[5] Precovery images of the comet from March 4, 1902, were found in 1931 and showed the comet at 12th magnitude.[5]
The comet is unusual in that while normally hovering at around 16th magnitude, it suddenly undergoes an outburst. This causes the comet to brighten by 1 to 4 magnitudes.[6] This happens with a frequency of 7.3 outbursts per year,[6] fading within a week or two. The magnitude of the comet has been known to vary from 19th magnitude to 9th magnitude, a ten thousand-fold increase in brightness, during its brightest outbursts. Highly changing surface processes are suspected to be responsible for the observed behavior.[6]
The comet is thought to be a member of a relatively new class of objects called "centaurs", of which at least 400 are known.[7] These are small icy bodies with orbits between those of Jupiter and Neptune. Astronomers believe that centaurs are recent escapees from the Kuiper belt, a zone of small bodies orbiting in a cloud at the distant reaches of the Solar System. Frequent perturbations by Jupiter[4] will likely accumulate and cause the comet to migrate either inward or outward by the year 4000.[8]
The dust and gas comprising the comet's nucleus is part of the same primordial materials from which the Sun and planets were formed billions of years ago. The complex carbon-rich molecules they contain may have provided some of the raw materials from which life originated on Earth.
The comet nucleus is estimated to be 30.8 kilometers in diameter.[4]
References
- ^ 29P past, present and future orbital elements
- ^ Syuichi Nakano (January 29, 2012). "29P/Schwassmann-Wachman 1 (NK 2189)". OAA Computing and Minor Planet Sections. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ Patrick Rocher (February 4, 2012). "Note number : 0015 P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 : 29P". Institut de mécanique céleste et de calcul des éphémérides. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ a b c "JPL Close-Approach Data: 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1" (last observation: April 10, 2009). Retrieved May 5, 2009.
- ^ a b c Kronk, Gary W. (2001–2005). "29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1". Archived from the original on October 22, 2008. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) (Cometography Home Page) - ^ a b c Trigo-Rodríguez; Melendo; García-Hernández; Davidsson; Sánchez (2008). "A continuous follow-up of Centaurs, and dormant comets: looking for cometary activity" (PDF). European Planetary Science Congress. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Search". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ "Twelve clones of 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann diverging by the year 4000". Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved April 30, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) (Solex 10) Archived April 29, 2009, at WebCite - ^ Trigo-Rodriguez et al., Outburst activity in comets, I. Continuous monitoring of comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 [1]
- ^ Trigo-Rodriguez et al., Outburst activity in comets , II. A multi-band photometric monitoring of comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1[2]
External links
- Orbital simulation from JPL (Java) / Ephemeris
- 29P at CometBase
- 29P at Las Cumbres Observatory (8 Feb 2010 12:23, 60 seconds)
- 29P (Joseph Brimacombe April 18, 2013)
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