177P/Barnard
Halley-type comet with 122-year orbit, discovered by Barnard in 1889.
Comet 177P/Barnard, also known as Barnard 2, is a Halley-type comet with an orbital period of 122 years. It fits the classical definition of a Halley-type comet (20 years < period < 200 years) and orbits near the ecliptic plane, with aphelion near the Kuiper cliff at 48 AU (7.2 billion km). It is notable for being discovered by Edward Emerson Barnard in 1889 and rediscovered after 116 years, and for its close approach to Earth in 2006.
Quick Facts
- Discovery Ref
- Barnard_1889
- Discoverer
- Edward Emerson Barnard
- Discovery Site
- Lick Observatory
- Discovery Date
- 24 June 1889
- Mpc Name
- P/1889 M1 / P/2006 M3
- Orbit Ref
- jpldata · MPC
- Epoch
- 21 November 2025 (JD 2461000.5)
- Observation Arc
- 117.47 years
- Obs
- 1,911
- Perihelion
- 1.125 AU
- Aphelion
- 47.848 AU
- Semimajor
- 24.502 AU
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The comet was discovered by Edward Emerson Barnard on 24 June 1889, and was re-discovered after 116 years. On July 19, 2006, 177P came within 0.366 AU (54.8 million km) of Earth. From late July through September 2006 it was slightly brighter than expected at 8th magnitude in the constellations Hercules and then Draco. Perihelion was August 28, 2006. It was last observed in December 2006 when it was about 2 AU (300 million km) from the Sun.
Of Barnard's other two periodic comets, the first, D/1884 O1 (Barnard 1) was last seen on November 20, 1884, and is thought to have disintegrated. The last, 206P/Barnard–Boattini marked the beginning of a new era in cometary astronomy, as it was the first to be discovered by photography. It was a lost comet after 1892, until accidentally rediscovered on 7 October 2008, by Andrea Boattini.
The only numbered comets with an orbital period longer than 177P/Barnard are: 153P/Ikeya–Zhang (365 years), 273P/Pons–Gambart (188 years), 35P/Herschel–Rigollet (155 years), and 109P/Swift-Tuttle (133 years).
Reader's Guide
Comet 177P/Barnard holds significance as one of the longer-period numbered comets, with only four others having a longer orbital period. Its rediscovery after 116 years allowed astronomers to study its orbit and physical behavior during its 2006 apparition, when it brightened unexpectedly to 8th magnitude. The comet's aphelion near the Kuiper cliff at 48 AU provides a link to the outer solar system's structure. A 2011 study proposed that 177P/Barnard may have been one of two progenitor bodies of the Kappa Cygnids meteor shower alongside C/1905 F1 (Giacobini), though orbital reconstructions show it is more associated with the asteroid 361861 (2008 ED69) instead. This uncertainty highlights the ongoing complexity in linking comets to meteor showers. The comet also contributes to the legacy of Edward Emerson Barnard, who discovered three periodic comets, including the first comet discovered by photography (206P/Barnard–Boattini).
Did You Know?
- A 2011 study proposed it as a possible progenitor of the Kappa Cygnids meteor shower, but orbital reconstructions favor asteroid 361861 (2008 ED69).
- Only four numbered comets have a longer orbital period than 177P/Barnard's 122 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 177P/Barnard?
It is a Halley-type comet on a 122-year orbit, originally spotted by Edward Emerson Barnard in 1889 and then re-identified in 2006 after a 116-year absence.
What's special about 177P/Barnard's orbit?
Its path hugs the ecliptic plane and reaches an aphelion of roughly 48 AU, placing its farthest point right around the Kuiper cliff. That makes it a textbook example of a classical Halley-type comet.
Who discovered 177P/Barnard and when?
Edward Emerson Barnard first observed it on 24 June 1889. The comet was then lost to view for 116 years before being recovered and confirmed as the same object in 2006.
Why is 177P/Barnard a fan favorite?
Its 2006 return featured a notably close approach to Earth, giving the public and researchers a rare chance to study a Halley-type comet up close. The long 122-year cycle also means each appearance is essentially a generational event.
What other designations does 177P/Barnard carry?
It is commonly called Barnard 2 in casual fan circles and was given the provisional code P/2006 M3 when it was rediscovered. All three names refer to the same object.
More in Periodic Comets 1-24
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