SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2002 K4

NEAT

NEAT follows a distinctly cometary orbit: an eccentricity of 0.842 carries it from 2.765 AU at perihelion out to 32.296 AU at aphelion.

comet Observations: 243
Orbital Period · P
73.4 yr
v(q)
24.3 km/s
v(Q)
2.1 km/s
TJ
0.16
Eccentricity · e
0.8423

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (2.765 AU) and its farthest (32.296 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 29.531 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 73.4 yr (26,808 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 17.53 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.842) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

A steep inclination of 94.06° carries it well above and below the ecliptic plane.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 24.3 km/s at perihelion and falls to 2.1 km/s at aphelion.

Its Tisserand parameter with respect to Jupiter is T_J = 0.16, a standard discriminator between asteroidal and cometary dynamics.

Size and surface

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

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 243 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.8036 arcseconds.

Condition code U = 4 indicates a moderately constrained orbit; predictions decades ahead still carry noticeable uncertainty.

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
17.53 AU
Eccentricity
0.8423
Perihelion
2.765 AU
Aphelion
32.295519 AU
Inclination
94.06°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2452467.5
Mean Anomaly
359.99°

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
0.80356
Condition
4
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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