P/1997 B1
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Takao Kobayashi |
| Orbital characteristics[1] | |
|
Epoch 2450506.5 (February 27, 1997) | |
| Aphelion | 15.1 AU |
| Perihelion |
2.054 AU last perihelion: January 30–31, 1997 |
| 8.6 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.761 |
| 25.17 a[1] | |
| Inclination | 12.4° |
|
| |
On January 30 and January 31, 1997, Takao Kobayashi observed an object, P/1997 B1 (Kobayashi), which was initially thought to be a minor planet and was reported to the IAU as such by S. Nakano. Over the next few days, the object was observed to be in a cometary orbit. W. Offutt later showed it to be a comet.[2] This is the first amateur CCD discovery of a comet and is also the faintest amateur discovery. It demonstrates that amateur astronomers still have an important role to play in the field of astronomical object discovery.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: P/1997 B1 (Kobayashi)" (1997-01-30 last obs). JPL. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
- ↑ "THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1171". THE ASTRONOMER. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
- ↑ "Current comets". Jonathan Shanklin. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
