C/2018 V1 (Machholz–Fujikawa–Iwamoto) Explained

C/2018 V1 (Machholz–Fujikawa–Iwamoto)
Background:
  1. FFE0C2
Discoverer:Donald Machholz
Discovered:7 November 2018
Orbit Ref:[1]
Epoch:16 November 2018
Observation Arc:37 days
Perihelion:0.386954 AU
Eccentricity:1.00040
Period:ejection
(barycentric epoch 2050)
Mean Anomaly:-0.00057
Inclination:143.9878°
Asc Node:128.7222°
Arg Peri:88.7749°
Moid:0.115002 AU
Magnitude:28.0

Comet C/2018 V1 (Machholz–Fujikawa–Iwamoto) is a minor body that follows a slightly hyperbolic orbit (eccentricity > 1, 16.4-sigma). It was visually discovered on 7 November 2018 by Donald Machholz using an 18.5-inch reflecting telescopeand it reached perihelion on 3 December 2018.

Overview

It was estimated to be between 8 and 10th magnitude from mid-November to mid-December 2018, visible in a small telescope. The value of its total (absolute magnitude of comet and coma) magnitude is 14.6 mag. It was discovered by three amateur astronomers: by an observer in Colfax, California, USA and by two observers in Japan.[2] [3] The observations by three astronomers result in the name for the comet, Machholz-Fujikawa-Iwamoto.[4] The current orbit determination of this comet is based on 750 observations with a 37-day observation arc.[1]

Comet C/2018 V1 has a significant probability (72.6%) of having an extrasolar provenance although an origin in the Oort Cloud cannot be excluded.[5] As the present-day value of its barycentric orbital eccentricity is greater than 1, this comet is currently escaping from the Solar System, aiming for interstellar space.[5]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Small-Body Database Lookup.
  2. News: Amateur Astronomers Discover a Bright New Comet. 14 November 2018. Phillips. Tony. Spaceweather.com. 2018-11-16.
  3. News: New Comet V1 Machholz-Fujikawa-Iwamoto Takes Observers by Surprise. Dickinson. David. 16 November 2018. Universe Today. 2018-11-16.
  4. News: New comet C/2018 V1 Machholz-Fujikawa-Iwamoto. 14 November 2018. Chambó. José J.. Sky & Telescope. 2018-11-16.
  5. de la Fuente Marcos . Carlos . de la Fuente Marcos . Raúl . 11 October 2019 . Comet C/2018 V1 (Machholz-Fujikawa-Iwamoto): dislodged from the Oort Cloud or coming from interstellar space?. . 489. 1. 951–961. 1908.02666. 2019MNRAS.489..951D. 10.1093/mnras/stz2229. free .