30P/Reinmuth

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30P/Reinmuth
Discovery
Discovered by: Karl Reinmuth
Discovery date: February 22, 1928
Alternate designations: 1928 D1, 1934 V1
Orbital characteristics A
Epoch: January 1, 2003
Perihelion distance: 1.877 AU
Semi-major axis: 3.77 AU
Eccentricity: 0.502
Orbital period: 7.32 a
Inclination: 8.13°
Last perihelion: December 24, 2004
Next perihelion: April 19, 2010

Comet 30P/Reinmuth, also known as Comet Reinmuth 1, is a periodic comet in the solar system, first discovered by Karl Reinmuth (Landessternwarte Heidelberg-Königstuhl, Germany) on February 22, 1928.

First calculations of orbit concluded a period of 25 years, but this was revised down to 7 years and speculation this was the same comet as Comet Taylor, which had been lost since 1915. Further calculations by George van Biesbroeck concluded they were different comets.

The 1935 approach was observed though not as favourable, in 1937 the comet passed close to Jupiter which increased the perihelion distance and orbital period.

Due to miscalculations, the 1942 appearance was missed, but it has been observed on ever subsequent appearance since.

The comet will next pass close to Earth on January 25, 2039.

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