Comet 2P/Encke is a periodic comet that orbits the Sun approximately every 3.3 years. It was first discovered by the French astronomer Pierre Méchain in 1786 and later confirmed by Johann Franz Encke, after whom it is named. This comet is notable for having the shortest orbital period of any known comet. The comet's nucleus is estimated to be about 4.8 kilometers in diameter. Comet 2P/Encke is known for its bright and extended tail, which forms as it approaches the Sun and the heat causes its ices to vaporize. Its predictable orbit makes it a valuable object for studying cometary behavior.