First of all - thank you very much for both references Chuck! They are very interesting. I think I'll be inflating clouds or something in .5 million years - but it would be an interesting return. The wikipedia article states that it broke into four pieces last time. Clear skies, Dale.
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+dale.hooper=sdl.usu.edu@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy- bounces+dale.hooper=sdl.usu.edu@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 5:31 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Comparing comets McNaught and West
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-54344/Comets-Definition
Half a million years is certainly longer than 200 years (the lower limit for a 'long-period' comet). Speculation: Perhaps the orbit must be known with precision, or it must return within a reasonable length of time with respect to human history?
Going to wait for West to return, Dale? ;o)
--- Dale Hooper <Dale.Hooper@sdl.usu.edu> wrote:
Comet West certainly was a beautiful one. I'm curious; wikipedia states that Comet West has an orbital period of ~558,000 years. So, why doesn't it have a periodic comet designation? i.e. XXX/P
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