41P/Tuttle–Giacobini–Kresák

Observational history

Discovery

Discovered by Horace Parnell Tuttle on May 3, 1858, and re-discovered independently by Michel Giacobini and Ľubor Kresák in 1907 and 1951 respectively, it is a member of the Jupiter family of comets.

2006 apparition

As of June 1, 2006, Comet 41P was a 10th magnitude object for telescopes, located on the Cancer-Leo border, with a predicted maximum of about 10 at perihelion on June 11. This comet is of interest as it has been noted to flare dramatically. In 1973 the flare was 10 magnitudes brighter than predicted, reaching easy naked-eye visibility at apparent magnitude 4. However, by June 22, the comet had diminished to about magnitude 11, having produced no flare of note.

2011 apparition

The comet was not observed during the 2011 unfavorable apparition since the perihelion passage occurred when the comet was on the far side of the Sun.

2017 apparition

41P was recovered on November 10, 2016, at apparent magnitude 21 by Pan-STARRS. On April 1, 2017, the comet passed 0.142 AU from the Earth. The comet was expected to brighten to around magnitude 7 and be visible in binoculars.

Proposed exploration

In the 1960s, the European Space Research Organisation investigated sending a probe to the comet.

References

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References

1. (2007). "Robotic Exploration of the Solar System Part I: The Golden Age 1957-1982". Springer.