solar system
comet
Comet 73P/SW3-fragment C
Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann is a periodic comet in our solar system which is currently in the process of breaking up into small pieces and disintegrating.
This image shows fragment C of the comet.
The comet was discovered on 2nd May 1930, disintegration of this comet started in 1995 when it broke into 4 large pieces.
As of 2006 it had already split into at least 8 fragments.
It is only a question of time before this comet will have disappeared completely. (it is currently known to have split into 66 pieces already !)
Other / older versions :
Image information:
Object info
Name: 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, fragment C
Type: comet (periodic)
Constellation: n/a
Perihelion/Aphelion: 0.97 and 5.21 AU (1 AU = 149.6 million km)
Orbital period: 5.44 yr
Dimensions: 2.2 km (before breaking into pieces)
Discovered: May 2, 1930
Date & location
Date: May 11, 2006
Location: Landgraaf, The Netherlands
Equipment & optics
Total integration: 1h
Camera: Canon 350D
Optics: Orion USA 80/600 ED
Mount: Losmandy G-11
Image comments
Almost full Moon, 3 minute subs were too long for this fast moving comet.
