C/1992 J1 (Spacewatch)

C/1992 J1 (Spacewatch)

Simulated orbit of C/1992 J1 (Spacewatch) as of 12 January 2012
Discovery[1]
Discovered by	David Rabinowitz Spacewatch Project
Discovery site	Kitt Peak Observatory
Discovery date	1 May 1992
Designations
Alternative designations	1992h[2] 1993 XV
Orbital characteristics[3][4][5]
Epoch	3 August 1993 (JD 2449202.5)
Observation arc	1,007 days (2.76 years)
Number of observations	240
Aphelion	~75,000 AU (inbound) ~3,700 AU (outbound)
Perihelion	3.007 AU
Eccentricity	0.99996
Orbital period	~78,000 years (outbound)
Inclination	124.32°
Longitude of ascending node	203.32°
Argument of periapsis	83.40°
Last perihelion	6 September 1993
TJupiter	–1.212
Earth MOID	2.541 AU
Jupiter MOID	0.127 AU
Comet total magnitude (M1)	8.3
Comet nuclear magnitude (M2)	14.2

C/1992 J1 (Spacewatch) is a comet that was discovered 1 May 1992 by David Rabinowitz of the Spacewatch Project. This was the first comet to be discovered using an automated system.[1]

Orbit

Using a generic heliocentric (two-body) solution calculated near the time of perihelion (closest approach to the Sun), it is estimated to have an aphelion (Q) (furthest distance from the Sun) of 154,202 AU (2.43832 ly).[4] But the orbit of a long-period comet is properly obtained when the osculating orbit is computed at an epoch after leaving the planetary region and is calculated with respect to the center of mass of the Solar System. After leaving the planetary region of the Solar System, the post-perihelion orbital period is estimated to be about 78,000 years with aphelion around 3,650 AU.[3] In 2007 it reached more than 30 AU from the Sun.

See also

• C/2007 N3 (Lulin), another comet with a near-parabolic orbit
• List of Solar System objects by greatest aphelion

References

1. "Spacewatch Outer Solar System Discoveries". spacewatch.lpl.arizona.edu. University of Arizona. Archived from the original on 29 October 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2009.
2. "Comet Names and Designations". International Comet Quarterly. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
3. Horizons output. "Barycentric Osculating Orbital Elements for Comet C/1992 J1 (Spacewatch) at epoch 1800 and 2200". Retrieved 7 October 2012. (Solution using the Solar System barycenter. Select Ephemeris Type:Elements and Center:@0)
4. "C/1992 J1 (Spacewatch) – JPL Small-Body Database Lookup". ssd.jpl.nasa.gov. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
5. S. Nakano (4 June 1995). "C/1992 J1 (Spacewatch)". OAA Computing Section Circular. NK 1490. Retrieved 15 April 2009.

External links

• C/1992 J1 at the JPL Small-Body Database
  • Close approach · Discovery · Ephemeris · Orbit viewer · Orbit parameters · Physical parameters