Comet Skjellerup–Maristany
Comet Skjellerup–Maristany, formally designated C/1927 X1, 1927 IX, and 1927k, was a long-period comet which became very bright in 1927. This great comet was observable to the naked eye for about 32 days.[2] It was independently discovered by amateur astronomers John Francis Skjellerup in Australia on 28 November 1927 and Edmundo Maristany in Argentina on 6 December 1927, and noted for its strong yellow appearance, caused by emission from sodium atoms.
![]() | |
Discovery | |
---|---|
Discovered by | John Francis Skjellerup, Edmundo Maristany |
Discovery date | December 6, 1927 |
Designations | |
Great Comet of 1927, 1927 IX, 1927 X1 | |
Orbital characteristics | |
Epoch | 1927-Dec-26 (JD 2425240.5)[1] |
Aphelion | 2202 AU |
Perihelion | 0.1761 AU[1] |
Semi-major axis | 1101 AU |
Eccentricity | 0.9998[1] |
Orbital period | ~36600 yr |
Inclination | 85.1°[1] |
Last perihelion | December 18, 1927[1] |
Next perihelion | unknown |
Forward scattering of light on 15–16 December 1927 allowed the comet to be seen during daylight if the observer blocked the Sun.[3] C/1927 X1 passed only 1.4° from the Sun on 15 December 1927.[4]
Comet Skjellerup–Maristany has been more than 105 AU (15.7 billion km) from the Sun since 2010. It was mentioned in J. R. R. Tolkien's book Letters From Father Christmas.
References
- "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: C/1927 X1 (Skjellerup-Maristany)" (1928-03-29 last obs (arc=115 days)). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
- Donald K. Yeomans (April 2007). "Great Comets in History". Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology (Solar System Dynamics). Retrieved 2011-08-07.
- Marcus, Joseph N. (October 2007). "Forward-Scattering Enhancement of Comet Brightness. II. The Light Curve of C/2006 P1" (PDF). International Comet Quarterly. pp. 119–130.
- Horizons output. "Observer Table for Comet C/1927 X1 (Skjellerup-Maristany)". Retrieved 2011-08-07. (Observer Location:Geocentric [500])