C/1948 V1

The Eclipse Comet of 1948, formally known as C/1948 V1, was an especially bright comet discovered during a solar eclipse on November 1, 1948. Although there have been several comets that have been seen during solar eclipses, the Eclipse Comet of 1948 is perhaps the best-known; it was however, best viewed only from the Southern Hemisphere.

C/1948 V1 (Eclipse Comet)
Discovery
Discovery dateNovember 1, 1948
Alternative
designations
Eclipse Comet, 1948 XI, 1948 V1
Orbital characteristics A
Epoch2432840.5
Aphelion3861 AU[1]
Perihelion0.135 AU
Semi-major axis1931 AU[1]
Eccentricity0.99994
Orbital period~84,800 yr.[1]
Inclination23.1°
Last perihelionOctober 27, 1948
Next perihelionunknown

When it was first discovered during totality, it was already quite bright, at magnitude -2; as it was near perihelion, this was its peak brightness.[2] Its visibility during morning twilight improved as it receded outward from the Sun; it peaked near zero magnitude, and at one point displayed a tail roughly 30 degrees in length, before falling below naked eye visibility by the end of December.[2]

References

  1. Horizons output. "Barycentric Osculating Orbital Elements for Comet C/2004 Q2 (Machholz)". Retrieved 2011-02-03. (Solution using the Solar System Barycenter and barycentric coordinates. Select Ephemeris Type:Elements and Center:@0)
  2. Dr. Sten Odenwald. "When was the last time we had two bright comets in the same year?". Ask the Astronomer. Retrieved 2006-02-13.


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