71P/Clark

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Discoverydate9 June 1973
P/1973 L1, P/1978 G1
  • 1973 V, 1978 XXIII
  • 1984 VIII, 1989 XX
  • 1973i, 1978g, 1983w
  • 1989h, 1994t
71P/Clark
Infrared image of Comet Clark taken by NEOWISE on 9 September 2017
Discovery
Discovered byMichael Clark
Discovery date9 June 1973
Designations
P/1973 L1, P/1978 G1
  • 1973 V, 1978 XXIII
  • 1984 VIII, 1989 XX
  • 1973i, 1978g, 1983w
  • 1989h, 1994t
Orbital characteristics
EpochMarch 6, 2006
Aphelion4.685 AU
Perihelion1.562 AU
Semi-major axis3.124 AU
Eccentricity0.4999
Orbital period5.521 a
Inclination9.4883°
Last perihelion21 January 2023[1]
Next perihelion28 September 2028[2]
Physical characteristics
Mean radius
0.83 km (0.52 mi)[3]
0.035 (assumed)
(V–R) = 0.64±0.07[4]
Comet total
magnitude
(M1)
11.1
Comet nuclear
magnitude (M2)
14.6

71P/Clark is a periodic comet in the Solar System with an orbital period of 5.5 years.

It was discovered by Michael Clark at Mount John University Observatory, New Zealand on 9 June 1973 with a brightness of apparent magnitude 13. Subsequently it has been observed in 1978, 1984, 1989, 1995, 2000, 2006, 2011[5] and 2017.[6]

References

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