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 (TJupiter > 3; a < aJupiter),[4] and is a quasi-Hilda comet.[5]
 Comet Shoemaker-Levy 3 (bottom) by Spitzer Space Telescope | |
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Carolyn S. Shoemaker Eugene Merle Shoemaker David H. Levy |
| Discovery date | February 7, 1991 |
| Designations | |
| 1990 XXVII; 1996 U1 | |
| Orbital characteristics | |
| 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 | 2022-Nov-30[1] February 11, 2014[2] June 5, 2005 |
| Next perihelion | 2031-Nov-05[3] |
This comet should not be confused with Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 (D/1993 F2), which spectacularly crashed into Jupiter in 1994.
The nucleus of the comet is estimated to have a radius of 1.22 ± 0.1 km based on infrared imaging by the Spitzer Space Telescope.[6]
References
edit- ^ "129P/Shoemaker-Levy Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2014-06-17.
- ^ Syuichi Nakano (2005-10-27). "129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3 (NK 1273)". OAA Computing and Minor Planet Sections. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
- ^ "Horizons Batch for 129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3 (90001036) on 2031-Nov-05" (Perihelion occurs when rdot flips from negative to positive). JPL Horizons. Retrieved 2023-07-06. (JPL#K223/25 Soln.date: 2023-Jun-08)
- ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3" (2011-10-30 last obs). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Fernández, Y.R.; Kelley, M.S.; Lamy, P.L.; Toth, I.; Groussin, O.; Lisse, C.M.; A’Hearn, M.F.; Bauer, J.M.; Campins, H.; Fitzsimmons, A.; Licandro, J.; Lowry, S.C.; Meech, K.J.; Pittichová, J.; Reach, W.T.; Snodgrass, C.; Weaver, H.A. (September 2013). "Thermal properties, sizes, and size distribution of Jupiter-family cometary nuclei". Icarus. 226 (1): 1138–1170. arXiv:1307.6191. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2013.07.021.
External links
edit- 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
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