Discovery | |
---|---|
Discovered by | Paul Wild at Zimmerwald Observatory, Switzerland |
Discovery date | April 1980 |
Orbital characteristics | |
Epoch | 27 June 2015 |
Aphelion | 4.942 AU |
Perihelion | 2.2635 AU |
Semi-major axis | 3.6043 AU |
Eccentricity | 0.3719 |
Orbital period | 6.84 yr |
Inclination | 15.47° |
Last perihelion | 7 February 2022[1] 3 April 2015[1][2] |
Next perihelion | 2029-Jan-23[1] |
86P/Wild (pronounced 86P/Vilt) is a periodic comet in the Solar System with a current orbital period of 6.84 years.[3]
It was discovered on photographic plates exposed on 11/12 April 1980 by Paul Wild of the Astronomical Institute of University of Bern, Switzerland at the nearby Zimmerwald Observatory. He reported the brightness at a magnitude of 15.5 and that the comet was diffuse. He rediscovered it on 7 May 1980 and calculations by Brian G. Marsden estimated that perihelion would take place on 6 October 1980.
Syuichi Nakano calculated the next perihelion would be 31 August 1987 and the comet was duly observed by Tom Gehrels and J. V. Scotti on the Spacewatch telescope at Kitt Peak Observatory, Arizona, USA. Perihelion was 1 September.
The same team re-observed it in 1994 with a faint brightness of magnitude 21. It has since been observed in 2001, 2008 and 2015.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c MPC
- ^ "86p/Wild 3". Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ "86P/Wild 3". Gary Kronk. Archived from the original on 8 August 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
Well, that’s interesting to know that Psilotum nudum are known as whisk ferns. Psilotum nudum is the commoner species of the two. While the P. flaccidum is a rare species and is found in the tropical islands. Both the species are usually epiphytic in habit and grow upon tree ferns. These species may also be terrestrial and grow in humus or in the crevices of the rocks.
View the detailed Guide of Psilotum nudum: Detailed Study Of Psilotum Nudum (Whisk Fern), Classification, Anatomy, Reproduction