Comet
Encke
TypeComet
Mass~1 × 10¹⁴ kg
Diameter4.8 km
Orbital Radius510 million km
Orbital Period1,204 days
Rotation Period11 hours
Known Moons0
Surface Gravity~0.0001 m/s²
Average Temp-70 °C
AtmosphereH2O, CO2, dust
Discovered ByPierre Mechain
Discovery Year1786
About Encke
Has the shortest orbital period of any known comet at 3.3 years. Second comet identified as periodic (after Halley). Produces a large amount of dust relative to its size. Source of the Taurid meteor stream. Has been observed on over 60 returns.
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