P/2003 T12 (SOHO)

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P/2003 T12 (SOHO)
Discovery
Discovered bySOHO
Discovery date10 October 2003
Designations
P/2003 T12
P/2012 A3
SOHO-643
STEREO-42
Orbital characteristics
Epoch25 May 2012 (JD 2456072.5)
Observation arc4,592 days (12.57 years)
Number of
observations
491
Aphelion4.5612 AU
Perihelion0.5748 AU
Semi-major axis2.568 AU
Eccentricity0.77617
Orbital period4.1153 years
Inclination11.4752°
176.466°
Argument of
periapsis
217.669°
Last perihelion3 July 2024
Next perihelion2028
TJupiter2.894
Earth MOID0.1547 AU
Jupiter MOID1.0191 AU
Physical characteristics
Comet total
magnitude
(M1)
19.6
8.5
(2012 apparition)

P/2003 T12 is a periodic comet that revolves around the Sun once every 4.11 years. On January 13, 2012, it was observed by the satellite STEREO-B, and the most documented phase of P/2003 T12 was observed on that date. It is theorized to be a possible fragment of comet 169P/NEAT.