SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
Hubble
NASA JPL SBDB · 1937 P1

Hubble

Hubble follows a distinctly cometary orbit: an eccentricity of 0.973 carries it from 1.954 AU at perihelion out to 140.1 AU at aphelion.

comet Observations: 58
Encyclopedia excerpt
The Hubble Space Telescope is a space telescope that was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990 and remains in operation. It was not the first space telescope, but it is one of the largest and most versatile, renowned as a vital research tool and as a public relations boon for astronomy. The Hubble Space Telescope is named after astronomer Edwin Hubble and is one of NASA's Great Observatories. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) selects Hubble's targets and processes the resulting data, while the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) controls the spacecraft.
Orbital Period · P
599 yr
v(q)
29.9 km/s
v(Q)
0.4 km/s
TJ
1.76
Eccentricity · e
0.9725

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (1.954 AU) and its farthest (140.1 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 138.2 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 599 yr (218,698 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 71.04 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.973) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

The orbital plane is tilted 11.58° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 29.9 km/s at perihelion and falls to 0.4 km/s at aphelion.

Its Tisserand parameter with respect to Jupiter is T_J = 1.76, a standard discriminator between asteroidal and cometary dynamics.

Size and surface

Neither a measured diameter nor a reliable absolute magnitude is available for Hubble, so its physical size remains unconstrained.

Observation record and orbit quality

The current orbit solution is based on 58 observations.

About these computed values

Orbital periods, perihelion and aphelion speeds, and diameter estimates on this page are computed by SpaceAtlas from the JPL SBDB orbital elements. They are derived quantities, not values copied from the source catalogue.

Orbital Parameters

Semi-Major Axis
71.04 AU
Eccentricity
0.9725
Perihelion
1.954 AU
Aphelion
140.1264 AU
Inclination
11.58°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2428480.5
Mean Anomaly
-0.01°

Orbit diagram

The Sun sits at the focus (orange). Earth's orbit is the grey circle at 1 AU. The red dot marks the object's position at the catalog epoch.

3D orbit (interactive)

Drag to rotate; scroll or pinch to zoom. The Sun is at the focus (orange), Earth's orbit is the grey ring at 1 AU, and the red dot marks the object's current position.

Close approaches

No close approaches to Earth are currently on record for this object.

Physical Parameters

Diameter
— km
Albedo
—
Density
— g/cm³
Rotation Period
— h
Absolute Magnitude
—
Data source: NASA JPL Small-Body Database . Orbital periods, perihelion and aphelion speeds, and diameter estimates on this page are computed by SpaceAtlas from the JPL SBDB orbital elements. They are derived quantities, not values copied from the source catalogue.

Keep exploring

Explore asteroids, comets and near-Earth objects with JPL orbital data.