130P/McNaught–Hughes

130P/McNaught-Hughes
Comet McNaught–Hughes imaged from an 8-in reflector on 3 August 2024
Discovery[1]
Discovered byRobert H. McNaught
Shaun M. Hughes
Discovery siteSiding Spring Observatory
(UK Schmidt Telescope)
Discovery date30 September 1991
Designations
P/1991 S1, P/1997 H1
1991 IX, 1991y
Orbital characteristics[2][3]
Epoch24 February 2018 (JD 2458173.5)
Observation arc33.43 years
Earliest precovery date14 September 1991
Number of
observations
2,362
Aphelion4.941 AU
Perihelion1.824 AU
Semi-major axis3.382 AU
Eccentricity0.46079
Orbital period6.219 years
Inclination6.065°
70.256°
Argument of
periapsis
245.91°
Mean anomaly5.267°
Last perihelion14 April 2024
Next perihelion2030
TJupiter2.962
Earth MOID0.820 AU
Jupiter MOID0.566 AU
Physical characteristics[2]
Mean radius
2.67 km (1.66 mi)[4]
Comet total
magnitude
(M1)
10.4
Comet nuclear
magnitude (M2)
14.7

130P/McNaught–Hughes is a Jupiter-family comet with a 6.22-year orbit around the Sun. It is the second of two comets co-discovered by Robert H. McNaught and Shaun M. Hughes.[a]

Physical characteristics

Initial estimates of in 1994 place the size of its nucleus to be around 4.2 km (2.6 mi) in diameter.[5] Infrared observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope between 2006 and 2007 reveal the nucleus of this comet to be about 5.34 km (3.32 mi) in diameter.[4]

Notes

  1. ^ The first comet that both astronomers had co-discovered was C/1990 M1 (McNaught–Hughes).

References

  1. ^ R. H. McNaught; S. M. Hughes (1 October 1991). D. W. Green (ed.). "Comet McNaught–Hughes (1991y)". IAU Circular. 5354 (1).
  2. ^ a b "130P/McNaught–Hughes – JPL Small-Body Database Lookup". ssd.jpl.nasa.gov. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  3. ^ "130P/McNaught–Hughes Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  4. ^ a b Y. R. Fernández; M. S. P. Kelley; P. L. Lamy; et al. (2013). "Thermal properties, sizes, and size distribution of Jupiter-family cometary nuclei". Icarus. 226 (1): 1138–1170. arXiv:1307.6191. Bibcode:2013Icar..226.1138F. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2013.07.021.
  5. ^ J. V. Scotti (1994). "Comet Nuclear Magnitudes". Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society. 26: 1375. Bibcode:1994AAS...185.4306S.