141P/Machholz 2

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Updated on October 31, 2021

Profile The nucleus was split in 1994, and it was discovered because it became bright in outburst. Five components, A to E, were observed in 1994. Two of them, A and D, returned in the next return in 1999. In the next return in 2005, only the component A was observed due to the bad condition. In 1999, the main component A became fainter than discovery by 3 mag. The characteristic of the light curve changed. But in the next return in 2005, it was observed as bright as in 1999. The characteristic of the light curve was also similar, which is rapid along a 20 log r formula and it becomes brightest 10 days after the perihelion passage. In 1999, another fragment D also became fainter than discovery by 2-3 mag. It behaved unusually both in 1994 and 1999. In 1994, it brightened after the perihelion passage and became brighter than the main component. On the other hand, it started fading before the perihelion passage in 1999. Kazuo Kinoshita's calculation revealed that it will pass very close by Earth in 2036, down to 0.12 A.U. Returns and Appearances Discovered Appeared Not observed Appeared before discovery Not observed before discovery Returns in the future 2026 Apr. 23 141P 2020 Dec. 16 141P 2015 Aug. 25 2010 May 24 141P 2005 Feb. 28 141P/1999 P1 1999 Dec. 9 141P/1994 P1 1994 Sept.18

The perihelion dates in the past appearances are printed on Catalog of Cometary Orbits 1996. Information on the discovery and historical highlights are available at General Comet Info (Gary W. Kronk). The past and future orbital elements calculated by Kazuo Kinoshita (http://www9.ocn.ne.jp/~comet/pcmtn/0141p.htm).