Comet Bennett

C/1969 Y1
Discovery
Discovered by	John Caister Bennett
Discovery date	1969
Alternative; designations	Comet Bennett, 1969 Y1
Orbital characteristics A
Epoch	2440680.5 (April 4, 1970)
Aphelion	282 AU
Perihelion	0.538 AU
Semi-major axis	141 AU
Eccentricity	0.9962
Orbital period	1678 a
Inclination	90.0°
Last perihelion	March 20, 1970
Next perihelion	3600s

Comet Bennett, formally known as C/1969 Y1 (old style 1970 II and 1969i), was one of two comets to pass earth in the 1970s, along with Comet West. The name is also borne by an altogether different comet, . Discovered by John Caister Bennett on December 28, 1969 while still almost two AUs from the Sun, it reached perihelion on March 20, passing closest to Earth on March 26, 1970 as it receded, peaking at magnitude 0.^[1] It was last observed on February 27, 1971.^[1]

Apollo 13 attempted photograph[]

Comet Bennett was intended to be photographed by the crew of Apollo 13 during their journey to the Moon. Their first attempt on April 13, 1970 was unsuccessful. On April 14, 1970, after completing the maneuver to orient the spacecraft for a second attempt, Odyssey's service module ruptured, forcing the cancellation of the mission's scientific objectives and touchdown on the lunar surface.^[2]^[3]

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b C&MS: C/1969 Y1 (Bennett)
^ "Apollo Expeditions to the Moon: Chapter 13". history.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
^ Apollo 13 Accident – Flight Director Loop Part 1, retrieved 2015-06-05

External links[]

Cometography.com
Orbital simulation from JPL (Java) / Ephemeris

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[1969y1.html-1] Jump up to: ^a ^b C&MS: C/1969 Y1 (Bennett)

[2] "Apollo Expeditions to the Moon: Chapter 13". history.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2015-06-05.

[3] Apollo 13 Accident – Flight Director Loop Part 1, retrieved 2015-06-05

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