Kohoutek

[ koh-hoh-tek, kuh- ]

noun

, Astronomy.

1. a comet that passed around the sun in late 1973 and early 1974 and was dimly visible with the naked eye.

Kohoutek

/ kəˈhuːtɛk /

noun

1. a comet of almost parabolic orbit that reached its closest approach to the sun in Dec 1973

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kohoutek¹

Named after Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek (1935–2023), who discovered it in February 1973

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kohoutek¹

C20: named after Luboš Kohoutek, Czech astronomer working in Germany who discovered it in March, 1973

Example Sentences

The number of spacewalks was also doubled, to four, to observe a newly discovered comet, Kohoutek.

From BBC

For instance, Comet Kohoutek in 1973 was hyped as a potentially great sight - echoing longtime comparisons I’d always heard about Halley’s Comet.

From Washington Times

But Kohoutek was decidedly a fizzle; I don’t think I ever caught a glimpse of it.

From Washington Times

Mr. Bopp had never seen a comet before the summer of 1995, missing Halley’s in 1986 and the disappointing smudge of Comet Kohoutek in 1973.

From Washington Post

Kohoutek, who was 64, died a week later after his estranged brother decided to have him removed from life support.

From Washington Times