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.[6]
Discovery | |
---|---|
Discovered by | Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking 1.2-m reflector at Haleakala[1] |
Discovery date | March 28, 2004 |
Designations | |
2004 F3 | |
Orbital characteristics | |
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 | 2021-Feb-22[3] 2013-Jan-28[4] 2005-Jan-04[4] |
Next perihelion | 2029-Oct-28[5] |
It is a Quasi-Hilda comet.[7] Due to perturbations by Jupiter, the 2005, 2013 and 2021 perihelion passages will be closer to the Sun.[8] The comet is observable all through its orbit.[8]