450P/LONEOS (0450P)

Type: Periodic Perihelion date: 25 February 2027 Perihelion distance (q): 5.4 Aphelion distance (Q) : 10.3 Period (years): 22.0 Eccentricity (e): 0.31 Inclination (i): 10.9 JPL orbit diagram COBS lightcurve Atlas 450P/LONEOS = 2004 A1 = 2022 Q3 Brian Skiff discovered a faint comet on LONEOS images taken on 13 January 2004. Although the object appeared stellar, he requested additional images from other observers because of the motion of the object, which showed a slight coma. Charles Schambeau recovered comet 2004 A1 at 25th magnitude in images taken with the 8.1 m Gemini North telescope at Maunakea on 21 August 2022. Additional confirming observations were made on 23 August. The elements by Syuuchi Nakano show that the comet passed 0.031 au from Saturn on 30 July 1992 in an encounter that reduced the perihelion distance from 9.8 au and the period from 43 years. The previous perihelion had been in October 1951. The comet will approach Jupiter to 0.5 au in July 2026, with a further small reduction in perihelion distance and period. Observations (VEMag = visual equivalent magnitude) Date 10x10 mag Error VEmag Coma ' 22-Dec-25 18.8 0.2