This comet was discovered by Albert G. Wilson and Robert G. Harrington on November 19, 1949. What is of particular interest is this object's apparent state of transition towards inactivity. While originally classified as a comet, Wilson-Harrington has also been classified as Asteroid 4015. According to the International Astronomical Union, Wilson-Harrington is one of only three objects to share such a cross listing.
The existence of such objects is a reminder of the constant evolution of our solar system and its inhabitants. The comet/asteroid was also designated to be one of the original observation targets of NASA's Deep Space 1 probe. Due to technological failures, Deep Space 1 was unable to rendezvous with the comet.
- GARY W. KRONK’S COMETOGRAPHY – 107P/Wilson-Harrington
- Ephemerides and Orbital Elements – 107P/Wilson-Harrington
- Seiichi Yoshida – 107P/(4015) Wilson-Harrington
This entry also posted in the American Military University Introduction to Astronomy newsgroup.