Orbit of Comet 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak

Orbital Elements (2017 apparition)

Epoch JD 2457856
Perihelion Time T = Apr 12, 2017 18:00:58 UT
Perihelion Time (JD) T = 2457856.250674
Orbital Period P = 5.418 yr
Semi-major Axis a = 3.0848 AU
Perihelion Distance q = 1.0450 AU
Eccentricity e = 0.66123
Inclination (J2000) i = 9.227°
Ascending Node (J2000) Ω = 141.063°
Argument of Perihelion (J2000) ω = 62.161°
Perigee Time t = Apr 01, 2017 06:44 UT
Perigee Distance Δ = 0.1419 AU

Full Orbit From Above

View of 41P/T-G-K's orbit as seen from the North ecliptic pole with the comet and planets shown at the time of the comet's closest approach to Earth. From the JPL Small-Body Database Browser. View of 41P/T-G-K's entire orbit.

Orbit in Oblique View

Oblique view of the portion of comet 41P/T-G-K's orbit around perigee, viewed from 20° above the ecliptic plane. The black circle and Earth symbol denote the comet's and Earth's positions, respectively, at perigee (Apr 1, 2017). Tick marks at 15 day intervals show the orbit's position above or below the ecliptic plane. Oblique view of 41P/T-G-K's orbit.

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Orbit in Earth Co-Orbital View

The orbit of comet 41P/T-G-K around perihelion, in the Earth's co-orbital reference frame, as seen from above (top panel) and in the ecliptic plane (bottom panel). The black circle denotes the comet's position at perihelion (Apr 12, 2017) and the open circles show positions at 30-day intervals. Plot of 41P/T-G-K's orbit in Earth-co-orbital frame.

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