66P/du Toit

66P/du Toit
Discovery
Discovered byDaniel du Toit at Boyden Observatory, South Africa
Discovery date16 May 1944
Orbital characteristics
Aphelion10.7302 AU
Perihelion1.2742 AU
Semi-major axis6.0235 AU
Eccentricity0.788
Orbital period14.78 yr
Inclination18.70°
Last perihelion2018 May 19[1][2]
Next perihelion2033-Apr-18[3]

66P/du Toit is a periodic comet in the Solar System with a current orbital period of 14.78 years.[4] It came to perihelion on 2018 May 19 at roughly apparent magnitude 12.[2]

It was discovered by Daniel du Toit at the Boyden Observatory, South Africa on 16 May 1944, who estimated its brightness at magnitude 10. Other observers estimated magnitude 11 and 12.5. Its next return date was calculated to have a perihelion date of 10 April 1959 but it was not discovered.

The 1974 return was found almost accidentally with a perihelion date of 1 April 1974 and a brightness of magnitude 18–19. The 1989 appearance was again missed. The 2003 appearance had a perihelion date of 27 August 2003 and a brightness of magnitude 20.[5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference MPC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Yoshida-66p was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Horizons2033 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kronk was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference observadores was invoked but never defined (see the help page).