(In the 1800s a possible match was speculated which would give it a period of about 575 years. In the absence of accurate contemporary observations (or later observations confirming an orbit that predicts the earlier appearance), calculation of the comet's orbit is problematic and a parabolic orbit is conventionally assumed. At magnitude −4 it would have been as impressive as Venus.Īs a result of the cometary outburst in late July, Caesar's Comet is one of only five comets known to have had a negative absolute magnitude (for a comet, this refers to the apparent magnitude if the comet had been observed at a distance of 1 AU from both the Earth and the Sun ) and may have been the brightest daylight comet in recorded history. Around July 20, −43, the comet underwent an estimated 9 magnitude outburst in apparent magnitude and had a solar elongation of 88 degrees in the morning sky. Between June 10 and July 20 the comet would have dimmed from magnitude +1 to around magnitude +5. At perihelion the comet had a solar elongation of 11 degrees and is hypothesized to have had an apparent magnitude of around −3 as the Chinese report is not consistent with daytime visibility during May. It came to perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) on May 25, −43 at a solar distance of about 0.22 AU (33 million km). The comet approached Earth both inbound in mid-May and outbound in early August. ![]() ![]() It was perhaps the most famous comet of antiquity.īased on two sketchy reports from China (May 30) and Rome (July 23), an infinite number of orbit determinations can fit the observations, but a retrograde orbit is inferred based on available notes. It was interpreted by Romans as a sign of the deification of recently assassinated dictator, Julius Caesar (100–44 BC). Comet Caesar, Sidus lulium "Julian Star", Caesaris astrum "Star of Caesar", C/−43 K1, Great comet of 44 BCĬaesar's Comet (also Sidus Iulium ("Julian Star") Caesaris astrum ("Star of Caesar") Comet Caesar the Great Comet of 44 BC numerical designation C/−43 K1) was a seven-day cometary outburst seen in July 44 BC.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |