Tempel 1 (official designation: 9P/Tempel) is a Jupiter-family comet discovered by Wilhelm Tempel in 1867. It completes an orbit of the Sun every 5.6 years. Tempel 1 was the target of the Deep Impact space mission, which photographed a deliberate high-speed impact upon the comet in 2005. It was re-visited by the Stardust spacecraft on 14 February 2011, and came back to perihelion in August 2016. On 26 May 2024, it made a modest approach to Jupiter at a distance of 0.55 AU (82 million km), which lifted the perihelion distance. 9P will next come to perihelion on 12 February 2028 when it will be 1.77 AU (265 million km) from the Sun.
Comet Tempel 1 at perihelion
Tempel 1 (official designation: 9P/Tempel) is a Jupiter-family comet discovered by Wilhelm Tempel in 1867. It completes an orbit of the Sun every 5.6 years.
Historical Significance
Tempel 1 (official designation: 9P/Tempel) is a Jupiter-family comet discovered by Wilhelm Tempel in 1867.
Events Before
Czech-born tennis star Hana Mandlíková becomes an Australian Citizen
Czech-born tennis star Hana Mandlíková becomes an Australian Citizen
English Earl of St Andrews George Windsor marries Canadian academic Sylvana Tomaselli
English Earl of St Andrews George Windsor marries Canadian academic Sylvana Tomaselli
Panamanian General Manuel Noriega is indicted by a US federal grand jury for drug trafficking and racketeering
Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno was a Panamanian military officer and politician who was the de facto ruler of Panama from 1983 to 1989.
The Soviet Union begins withdrawing its 115,000 troops from Afghanistan
The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, later known as the Republic of Afghanistan, was the Afghan state from 1978 to 1992.
Britain's Parliament passes Section 28 as law prohibiting the promotion of homosexuality. Repealed in 2001/2004.
Section 28 refers to a part of the Local Government Act 1988, which stated that local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales "shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material...
Events After
Alan Hale Jr. dies
Alan Hale Jr., American actor, known for american actor, died on 1990-01-02. Alan Hale Jr. was an American actor and restaurateur.
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (41) divorces singer/dancer Sarah Brightman (29) after almost 7 years of marriage
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (41) divorces singer/dancer Sarah Brightman (29) after almost 7 years of marriage
NFL coach Jimmy Johnson (46) divorces Linda Kay Cooper after 26 years of marriage
NFL coach Jimmy Johnson (46) divorces Linda Kay Cooper after 26 years of marriage
John McEnroe becomes the first player to be expelled from the Australian Open
John McEnroe becomes the first player to be expelled from the Australian Open
Actor Michael Keaton (38) divorces actress Caroline McWilliams (44) after 7 years of marriage
Actor Michael Keaton (38) divorces actress Caroline McWilliams (44) after 7 years of marriage
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The "Epic in Miami," played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on January 4, 1989?
- Tempel 1 (official designation: 9P/Tempel) is a Jupiter-family comet discovered by Wilhelm Tempel in 1867. It completes an orbit of the Sun every 5.6 years. Tempel 1 was the target of the Deep Impact space mission, which photographed a deliberate high-speed impact upon the comet in 2005.
- Why is Comet Tempel 1 at perihelion significant?
- Tempel 1 (official designation: 9P/Tempel) is a Jupiter-family comet discovered by Wilhelm Tempel in 1867.