9P/Tempel

Discovery

Comet 9P/Tempel, a periodic comet discovered by Wilhelm Tempel, a German astronomer, holds historical significance as it marked the first comet to be discovered through photography. On December 3, 1867, Tempel identified this comet using a photograph taken at the National Observatory in Marseilles, France. The comet received its designation, 9P/Tempel, in recognition of Tempel's pioneering contributions to cometary astronomy.

Orbit

With an orbital period of approximately 5.5 years, Comet Tempel travels along an elliptical path around the Sun. Its orbit takes it from beyond Jupiter's orbit at its farthest point to within the inner solar system at its closest approach to the Sun (perihelion). The estimated size of its nucleus is around 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) in diameter, comprising a combination of ice, dust, rocky materials, and organic compounds. When the comet approaches the Sun, the heat causes the ice to sublimate, releasing gas and dust that form the characteristic coma and tails visible from Earth.

Observations

Comet Tempel has been observed by astronomers during multiple returns to the inner solar system, providing valuable data contributing to our understanding of cometary behavior and evolution. Over time, these observations have helped scientists glean insights into its properties, composition, and changes across different apparitions.

Satellite

Moreover, Comet Tempel 9P has also been the target of scientific exploration by space missions. For instance, the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission, primarily aimed at Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, performed a flyby of Tempel 9P during its journey to the primary target. This encounter provided opportunities to capture images and gather scientific data that contributed to our knowledge of the comet's characteristics.