(astronomy) A comet which orbits the Sun and which returns to the innermost point of its orbit at known, regular intervals.

plural of comet-finder

(astronomy) A low-powered telescope with a large field of view, used for finding comets.

(astronomy, planetology) A comet (or exocomet) located in interstellar space, and not gravitationally bound to a star.

plural of interstellar comet

plural of periodic comet

plural of periodical comet

A periodic Jupiter-family comet first recorded in 1772, subsequently splitting in two and not observed since 1852.

(astronomy) A comet that has shed its volatiles after numerous passes around the sun.

Alternative form of Halley's Comet