NASA, MSFC, Photo of "Comet Kohoutek From Astronaut Sketches And Description, How Comet Kohoutek Looked To Skylab 4 Crew", 1973-12-18 - 1974

Item — Box: 5, Folder: 18

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The 31 boxes in this collection contain a variety of subjects and media. The collection encompasses Dr. Stuhlinger's work at NASA as well as housing a number of familial and personal effects such as photographs and diaries.

Dates

Creation: 1973-12-18 - 1974

Creator

From the Collection: Stuhlinger, Ernst (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research in the Archives and Special Collections reading room. Handling guidelines and use restrictions will be communicated and enforced by archives staff members.

Extent

From the Collection: 31 Linear feet (31 boxes.)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Abstract

There is a description of the photo on the back: "Kohoutek Progress--A composite of six drawings made from astronaut sketches and descriptions illustrating the progress of the Comet Kohoutek. The Skylab 4 crewmen monitored the comet during their mission in Earth orbit. Sketches by the crewmen accompanied by their commentary helped ground-based scientists better understand the status of Kohoutek. The Comet Kohoutek passed the Sun on December 28, 1973 (perhelion) at a distance of about 20,800,000 kilometers (13 million statute miles). The date appears along with each of the six sketches. The National Aeronatuics and Space Administration with its "Operation Kohoutek" studied the comet with an extensive array of electronic eyes from the ground, Skylab, high-flying aircraft, unmanned spacecraft and sounding rockets."