C/1999 S4 (LINEAR)
Hyperbolic comet
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Through Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research, Comet and Water
Physical characteristics
Its nucleus was estimated to be about 0.9 km (0.56 mi) in diameter. Before the comet broke up, the (dust and water) nucleus erosion rate was about 1 cm per day. The comet brightened near 5 July 2000, and underwent a minor fragmentation event. The comet brightened again around 20 July 2000, and then disintegrated. The published optical and most radio data support that the main nuclear decay started 23 July 2000. The dust cloud expanded at about 20 m/s (66 ft/s) while the fragments expanded at around 7 m/s (23 ft/s). Other comets are known to have disappeared, but Comet LINEAR is the first one to have been caught in the act.
In addition to H2O, traces of C2H6, CH4, HCN, and CO were detected. Additionally, traces of NH3, C2H2, H2CO, and CH3OH were present.
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Orbit
The orbit of a long-period comet is properly obtained when the osculating orbit is computed at an epoch after leaving the planetary region and is calculated with respect to the center of mass of the Solar System. Using JPL Horizons, the barycentric orbital elements for epoch 2010-Jan-01 generate a semi-major axis of 700 AU, an aphelion distance of 1400 AU, and a period of approximately 18,700 years.
The comet made its closest approach to the Earth on 22 July 2000, at a distance of 0.372 AU (55.7 million km). It came to perihelion on 26 July 2000, at a distance of 0.765 AU (114.4 million km) from the Sun.