129P/Shoemaker–Levy

129P/Shoemaker-Levy

Discovery
Discovered by	Carolyn S. Shoemaker Eugene Merle Shoemaker David H. Levy
Discovery date	February 7, 1991
Alternative designations	1990 XXVII; 1996 U1
Orbital characteristics ^A
Epoch	March 6, 2006
Aphelion	4.676 AU
Perihelion	2.807 AU
Semi-major axis	3.741 AU
Eccentricity	0.2497
Orbital period	7.237 a
Inclination	5.0108°
Last perihelion	February 11, 2014[1] June 5, 2005
Next perihelion	2022-Nov-30[2]

129P/Shoemaker–Levy, also known as Shoemaker–Levy 3, is a periodic comet in the Solar System. It fits the definition of an Encke-type comet with (T_Jupiter > 3; a < a_Jupiter),^[3] and is a quasi-Hilda comet.^[4]

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

References

1. Syuichi Nakano (2005-10-27). "129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3 (NK 1273)". OAA Computing and Minor Planet Sections. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
2. "129P/Shoemaker-Levy Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2014-06-17.
3. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3" (2011-10-30 last obs). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
4. Toth, I. (March 2006). "The quasi-Hilda subgroup of ecliptic comets - an update". Astronomy and Astrophysics 448 (3): 1191–1196. Bibcode:2006A&A...448.1191T. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20053492.

External links

• Orbital simulation from JPL (Java) / Horizons Ephemeris
• 129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3 – Seiichi Yoshida @ aerith.net
• Elements and Ephemeris for 129P/Shoemaker-Levy – Minor Planet Center
• 129P at Kronk's Cometography