38P/Stephan–Oterma

38P/Stephan–Oterma (also known as Comet Stephan–Oterma) is a periodic comet with an orbital period of 38 years. It fits the classical definition of a Halley-type comet with (20 years < period < 200 years).[1] It was discovered on 22.9 January 1867, by Jérôme Eugène Coggia at Marseilles Observatory, France.[1] On 25.86 January Édouard Stephan confirmed it was a comet. It was recovered in 6 November 1942 by the Finnish astronomer Liisi Oterma.[4]

38P/Stephan–Oterma
Discovery
Discovered byCoggia, Jerome E.
Discovery dateJanuary 22, 1867
Designations
P/1980 L2, P/1942 V1, P/1867 B1, 38P
Orbital characteristics
Epoch1981-Apr-26
(JD 2444720.5)[1]
Aphelion20.920 AU
(near Uranus orbit)
Perihelion1.5744 AU
(near Mars orbit)
Semi-major axis11.247 AU
Eccentricity0.86002
Orbital period37.72 yr
Inclination17.981°
Last perihelionNovember 10, 2018[2][3]
December 5, 1980[1][3]
Next perihelion2056-Aug-28[2]

38P/Stephan–Oterma last came to perihelion on November 10, 2018.[2][3] It was recovered by Pan-STARRS on June 24, 2017 while 5.3 AU from the Sun.[2] The next perihelion passage is August 28, 2056.[2]

Orbit

It has perihelion near the orbit of Mars and has aphelion near the orbit of Uranus. Acting like a centaur-hybrid, between the years 1982 and 2067, this object will make close approaches to the giant planets Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus.[5] If this object did not have a coma and (for some definitions) had a perihelion beyond Jupiter's (5 AU), it would be considered a centaur.

Comet 38P passing within 1.6AU of Uranus in 2067.[5]

References
  1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 38P/Stephan-Oterma" (last observation: 1981-04-04; arc: 114.18 years). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  2. MPC
  3. Seiichi Yoshida (2004-07-31). "38P/Stephan-Oterma". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 2011-10-23.
  4. "38P/Stephan-Oterma". cometography.com. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  5. "JPL Close-Approach Data: 38P/Stephan-Oterma" (last observation: 1981-04-04; arc: 114.18 years). Retrieved 2009-05-07.


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