27P/Crommelin

27P/Crommelin
Discovery
Discovered byJ.-L. Pons
Discovery dateFebruary 23, 1818
Designations
1818 D1, 1873 V1, 1928 W1, 1956 S1
Orbital characteristics
EpochJuly 18, 2011
Observation arc84 years (1928-2012)
Number of
observations
392[2]
Aphelion17.660 AU
Perihelion0.748 AU
Semi-major axis9.204 AU
Eccentricity0.919
Orbital period27.9 yr
27y 10m 2d (perihelion to perihelion)
Inclination28.96°
Last perihelionAugust 3, 2011[1][2]
February 20, 1984[1]
Next perihelionMay 27, 2039[1][2][3]

Comet Crommelin, also known as Comet Pons-Coggia-Winnecke-Forbes, is a periodic comet with an orbital period of almost 28 years. It fits the classical definition of a Halley-type comet with (20 years < period < 200 years). It is named after the British astronomer Andrew C. D. Crommelin who calculated its orbit in 1930. It is one of only four comets not named after their discoverer(s), the other three being Comets Halley, Encke, and Lexell. It next comes to perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) around May 27, 2039 when it will be near a maximum near-perihelion distance from Earth.

  1. ^ a b c MPC
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference NK2190 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Horizons2039 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).