74P/Smirnova–Chernykh

74P/Smirnova–Chernykh is a periodic comet in the Solar System. It fits the definition of an Encke-type comet with (T_Jupiter > 3; a < a_Jupiter),^[7] and is a Quasi-Hilda comet.^[8] It was discovered in late March 1975 by Tamara Mikhajlovna Smirnova while examining exposures from the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory.^[9] In the discovery images the comet had an apparent magnitude of ~15.^[9] In the year of discovery, the comet came to perihelion on August 6, 1975.^[9]

74P/Smirnova–Chernykh

74P (apmag ~17; 3.6AU from the Sun) near galaxy PGC 49413
Discovery
Discovered by	Tamara Mikhailovna Smirnova Nikolai Stepanovich Chernykh
Discovery date	March 4, 1975
Designations
Alternative designations	1967 XV; 1975 VII; 1984 V; 1992 XXI
Orbital characteristics
Epoch	November 21, 2025
Aphelion	5.39 AU
Perihelion	4.836 AU
Semi-major axis	5.11 AU
Eccentricity	0.0543
Orbital period	11.56 yr
Inclination	6.015°
Last perihelion	January 26, 2018[1] July 30, 2009[2][3]
Next perihelion	March 2, 2026[4] 2034-Jun-14[5]

Perihelion distance at different epochs[6]
Epoch	Perihelion (AU)
1929	5.68
1967	3.55
2026	4.84
2034	3.84

The comet had been photographed during 1967, but was identified as an asteroid and assigned the designation 1967 EU.^[2]

The comet is estimated at 4.46 km in diameter.^[7]

A close approach to Jupiter in 2021 lifted perihelion from 3.54 AU to 4.84 AU.