SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 1997 BA6

Spacewatch

Spacewatch follows a distinctly cometary orbit: an eccentricity of 0.999 carries it from 3.436 AU at perihelion out to 6,158.6 AU at aphelion.

comet Observations: 520
Orbital Period · P
171,016 yr
v(q)
22.7 km/s
v(Q)
0 km/s
TJ
0.68
Eccentricity · e
0.9989

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (3.436 AU) and its farthest (6,158.6 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 6,155.2 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 171,016 yr (62,463,710 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 3,081.0 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.999) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

A steep inclination of 72.72° carries it well above and below the ecliptic plane.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 22.7 km/s at perihelion and falls to 0 km/s at aphelion.

Its Tisserand parameter with respect to Jupiter is T_J = 0.68, a standard discriminator between asteroidal and cometary dynamics.

Size and surface

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

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 520 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.8773 arcseconds.

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
3081.0 AU
Eccentricity
0.9989
Perihelion
3.436 AU
Aphelion
6158.6109 AU
Inclination
72.72°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2451665.5
Mean Anomaly
0.0°

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
—

Orbit Quality

RMS
0.87727
Condition
—
Orbit ID
—
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.

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