118P/Shoemaker–Levy

118P/Shoemaker-Levy

118P when 2AU from the Sun
Discovery
Discovered by	Carolyn S. Shoemaker Eugene Merle Shoemaker David H. Levy
Discovery date	February 9, 1991[1]
Alternative designations	118P/1991 C2; 1990 XII; 1991f; 118P/1995 M1
Orbital characteristics ^A
Epoch	May 1, 2009 (JD 2454952.5)
Aphelion	4.943 AU
Perihelion	1.984 AU
Semi-major axis	3.463 AU
Eccentricity	0.4272
Orbital period	6.45 yr
Inclination	8.509°
Last perihelion	January 2, 2010[2][3]
Next perihelion	June 16, 2016[3]

118P/Shoemaker–Levy (also known as periodic comet Shoemaker–Levy 4) is a comet discovered by astronomers Carolyn and Eugene M. Shoemaker and David Levy.^[1]

During the 2010 apparition the comet became as bright as apparent magnitude 11.5.^[4]

The comet nucleus is estimated to be 4.8 kilometers in diameter.^[1]

On December 3, 2015, comet Shoemaker–Levy 4 will pass 0.0442 AU (6,610,000 km; 4,110,000 mi) from asteroid 4 Vesta.^[5]

This comet should not be confused with Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 (D/1993 F2) which spectacularly crashed into Jupiter in 1994.

References

1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4" (2009-11-28 last obs). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
2. Seiichi Yoshida (2008-11-26). "118P/Shoemaker–Levy 4". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
3. Syuichi Nakano (2009-09-01). "118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4 (NK 1820)". OAA Computing and Minor Planet Sections. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
4. Seiichi Yoshida (2010-01-17). "Weekly Information about Bright Comets (2010 Jan. 16: North)". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 2010-03-04.
5. "JPL Close-Approach Data: 118P/Shoemaker-Levy 4" (2009-11-28 last obs). Retrieved 2010-03-03.

External links

• Orbital simulation from JPL (Java) / Horizons Ephemeris
• 118P magnitude plot for 2010
• http://jcometobs.web.fc2.com/pcmtn/0118p.htm
• 118P on Kronk's Cometography