 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 | |
| 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° |
| 203.32° | |
| Argument of periapsis | 83.40° |
| Last perihelion | 6 September 1993 |
| TJupiter | –1.212 |
| EarthMOID | 2.541 AU |
| JupiterMOID | 0.127 AU |
| Comet total magnitude (M1) | 8.3 |
| Comet nuclear magnitude (M2) | 14.2 |
C/1992 J1 (Spacewatch) is acomet that was discovered 1 May 1992 byDavid Rabinowitz of theSpacewatch Project. This was the first comet to be discovered using an automated system.[1]
Using a generic heliocentric (two-body) solution calculated near the time ofperihelion (closest approach to the Sun), it is estimated to have anaphelion (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 theosculating orbit is computed at anepoch after leaving the planetary region and is calculated with respect to thecenter of mass of the Solar System. After leaving the planetary region of the Solar System, the post-perihelionorbital 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.
.png)
