C/2014 Q3 (Borisov) Explained

C/2014 Q3 (Borisov)
Discoverer:Gennadiy Borisov
0.3 m astrograph (L51)
Discovery Date:22 August 2014
Epoch:9 December 2014
Perihelion:1.6474 au (q)
Aphelion:55.111 au
Eccentricity:0.94196
Period:146 years (epoch 2050)
Inclination:89.949°
Last P:19 November 2014
Next P:~2160

C/2014 Q3 (Borisov) is a periodic comet discovered at apparent magnitude 17 on 22 August 2014 by amateur astronomer Gennadiy Borisov using a 0.3m (01feet) astrograph. It is the third comet discovered by Borisov. The comet is best viewed from the northern hemisphere.

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

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

See also