246P/NEAT

246P/NEAT is a periodic comet discovered on 2004 March 28 by Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) using the 1.2-metre (47 in) reflector at Haleakala.[1] It was given the permanent number 246P on 2011 January 14.[5]

246P/NEAT

Discovery
Discovered by	Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking 1.2-m reflector at Haleakala[1]
Discovery date	March 28, 2004
Alternative designations	2004 F3
Orbital characteristics ^A
Epoch	2008-Jan-26 (JD 2454491.5)[2]
Aphelion	5.171 AU (Q)
Perihelion	2.867 AU (q)
Semi-major axis	4.019 AU (a)
Eccentricity	0.2865
Orbital period	8.06 yr
Inclination	15.98°
Last perihelion	2013-Jan-28[3] 2005-Jan-04[3]
Next perihelion	2021-Feb-22[4]

It is a Quasi-Hilda comet.[6] Due to perturbations by Jupiter, the 2005, 2013 and 2021 perihelion passages will be closer to the Sun.[7] The comet is observable all through its orbit.[7]

References

1. "IAUC 8313: C/2004 F2; P/2004 F3". IAU Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams. 2004-03-29. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
2. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 246P/NEAT" (last observation: 2012-07-24; arc: 8.48 years). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
3. Syuichi Nakano (2012-06-08). "246P/NEAT (NK 2273)". OAA Computing and Minor Planet Sections. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
4. "246P/NEAT Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
5. "IAUC 9192: C/2011 A2; 246P". IAU Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams. 2011-01-14. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
6. Toth, I. (March 2006). "The quasi-Hilda subgroup of ecliptic comets - an update". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 448 (3): 1191–1196. Bibcode:2006A&A...448.1191T. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20053492.
7. Seiichi Yoshida (2010-11-13). "246P/NEAT". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 2012-07-31.

External links

• Orbital simulation from JPL (Java) / Horizons Ephemeris
• 246P/NEAT – Seiichi Yoshida @ aerith.net
• Elements and Ephemeris for 246P/NEAT – Minor Planet Center
• 246P/NEAT at the Minor Planet Center's Database
• 246P/NEAT – Kazuo Kinoshita (2011 Dec. 22)