C/2014 Q3 (Borisov)

C/2014 Q3 (Borisov) is a periodic comet discovered at apparent magnitude 17 on 22 August 2014 by amateur astronomer Gennadiy Borisov using a 0.3-meter (12 in) astrograph.[1] It is the third comet discovered by Borisov. The comet is best viewed from the northern hemisphere.

C/2014 Q3 (Borisov)

Discovery
Discovered by	Gennadiy Borisov 0.3 m f/1.5 astrograph (L51)[1]
Discovery date	22 August 2014
Orbital characteristics ^A
Epoch	9 December 2014[2]
Aphelion	55.111 au
Perihelion	1.6474 au (q)[2]
Eccentricity	0.94196[2]
Orbital period	146 years (epoch 2050)[3]
Inclination	89.949°[2]
Last perihelion	19 November 2014[2]
Next perihelion	~2160

The comet was expected to reach about magnitude ~11 near perihelion (closest approach to the Sun), but brightened to around magnitude 10.[4] By 8 November 2014, the comet had a declination of +83 and was circumpolar from the northern hemisphere.[5] The comet came to perihelion on 19 November 2014 at a distance of 1.65 au from the Sun.[2]

Before entering the planetary region (epoch 1950), C/2014 Q3 had an orbital period of 148 years.[3] After leaving the planetary region (epoch 2050), it has an orbital period of 146 years.[3]

See also

• List of Halley-type comets

References

1. "MPEC 2014-Q38 : COMET C/2014 Q3 (BORISOV)". IAU Minor Planet Center. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2014. (CK14Q030)
2. "MPEC 2014-U124 : Observations and Orbits of Comets". IAU Minor Planet Center. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
3. Horizons output. "Heliocentric Osculating Orbital Elements for Comet C/2014 Q3 (Borisov)". Retrieved 3 November 2014. (Solution using heliocentric values)
4. Seiichi Yoshida (2 November 2014). "C/2014 Q3 ( Borisov )". Seiichi Yoshida's Comet Catalog. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
5. "Elements and Ephemeris for C/2014 Q3 (Borisov)". Minor Planet Center. Archived from the original on 3 November 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2014. (CK14Q030)