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),^[4] and is a Quasi-Hilda comet.^[5] It was discovered in late March 1975 by Tamara Mikhajlovna Smirnova while examining exposures from the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory.^[6] In the discovery images the comet had an apparent magnitude of ~15.^[6] In the year of discovery, the comet came to perihelion on August 6, 1975.^[6]

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	May 1, 2009
Aphelion	4.790 AU
Perihelion	3.557 AU
Semi-major axis	4.173 AU
Eccentricity	0.1485
Orbital period	8.53 yr
Inclination	6.647°
Last perihelion	January 26, 2018[1] July 30, 2009[2]
Next perihelion	2034-Jun-14[3]

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, and currently has an orbit contained completely inside of the orbit of Jupiter.^[4]