A false colour image of Comet IRAS–Araki–Alcock in 1983, viewed in infrared light by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS)This figure combines an International Ultraviolet Explorer FES image showing its diffuse tail, and the long-wavelength redundant (LWR) spectrum depicting the molecular emission lines of sulfur (S2) and hydroxyl (OH).
Comet IRAS–Araki–Alcock (formal designation C/1983 H1, formerly 1983 VII) is a long-period comet that, in 1983, made the closest known approach to Earth of any comet in 200 years, at a distance of about 0.0312 AU (4,670,000 km; 2,900,000 mi). The comet was named after its discoverers – the Infrared Astronomical Satellite and two amateur astronomers, George Alcock of the United Kingdom and Genichi Araki of Japan. Both men were schoolteachers by profession, although Alcock was retired. Alcock had made his discovery simply by observing through the window of his home, using binoculars.[3][4] During the closest approach, the comet appeared as a circular cloud about the size of the full moon, having no discernible tail, and shining at a naked eye magnitude of 3–4. It swept across the sky at an angular speed of about 30 degrees per day. On May 11 the comet was detected on radar by Arecibo Observatory and Goldstone Solar System Radar making it the first comet detected by two different radar systems.[5] A second detection was made by Goldstone on 14 May.[5]
It is a long-period comet, with an orbital period of about 970 years,[1] and is the parent comet of the minor Eta Lyridmeteor shower.[6] This shower's radiant lies between Vega and Cygnus and produces 1 or 2 meteors an hour in mid-May with a peak between 9 May and 11 May.
Flyby comparison
Comet IRAS–Araki–Alcock made its closest approach to Earth in 1983, at a distance of about 0.0312 AU (4,670,000 km; 2,900,000 mi). It was the closest approach up to that time of any comet in 200 years; only Lexell's Comet, in 1770, and 55P/Tempel–Tuttle, in 1366, are thought to have come closer.[7][8] Subsequently, on 12 June 1999, the small comet P/1999 J6 (SOHO) passed about 0.012 AU (1,800,000 km; 1,100,000 mi) from Earth.[9] What was thought to be a small fragment of 252P/LINEAR, called P/2016 BA14, passed at a distance of 0.0237 AU (3,550,000 km; 2,200,000 mi) on 22 March 2016.[10]
1983 Flyby
The comet passed from north to south between 9 May to 13 May, passing through Ursa Major towards Cancer. Its motion is marked every 2 hours here.
Moving north to south, it crossed just inside the Earth's orbit on 11 May.
