SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2006 GZ2

Spacewatch

Spacewatch follows a distinctly cometary orbit: an eccentricity of 1 carries it from 3.303 AU at perihelion out to 101,555 AU at aphelion.

comet Observations: 59
Orbital Period · P
11,442,978 yr
v(q)
23.2 km/s
v(Q)
0 km/s
TJ
-2.74
Eccentricity · e
0.9999

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (3.303 AU) and its farthest (101,555 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 101,552 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 11,442,978 yr (4,179,547,540 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 50,780 AU.

The high eccentricity (1) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

A steep inclination of 168.7° carries it well above and below the ecliptic plane.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 23.2 km/s at perihelion and falls to 0 km/s at aphelion.

Its Tisserand parameter with respect to Jupiter is T_J = -2.74, 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 59 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.9983 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
50780.0 AU
Eccentricity
0.9999
Perihelion
3.303 AU
Aphelion
101554.922 AU
Inclination
168.68°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2453836.5
Mean Anomaly
360.0°

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
0.99833
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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