Orbit of the Great Comet of 1854 (C/1854 F1)

Abstract

Comet C/1854 F1 (Great Comet) is one of a large number of comets with parabolic orbits. Given that there are sufficient observations of the comet, 184 in right ascencion and 163 in declination, it proves possible to calculate a better orbit. The Great Comet's orbit is a highly eccentric ellipse, although statistically it becomes indistinguishable from a parabola. The new orbit, nevertheless, shows improvement over the previously published orbit.