SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2013 R3

Catalina-PANSTARRS

Catalina-PANSTARRS follows a distinctly cometary orbit: an eccentricity of 0.273 carries it from 2.204 AU at perihelion out to 3.862 AU at aphelion.

comet Observations: 324
Orbital Period · P
5.28 yr
v(q)
22.6 km/s
v(Q)
12.9 km/s
TJ
3.18
Eccentricity · e
0.2734

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (2.204 AU) and its farthest (3.862 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 1.658 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 5.28 yr (1,929 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 3.033 AU.

An eccentricity of 0.273 makes the orbit moderately elongated.

Its inclination of 0.9° keeps it close to the plane of the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 22.6 km/s at perihelion and falls to 12.9 km/s at aphelion.

Its Tisserand parameter with respect to Jupiter is T_J = 3.18, a standard discriminator between asteroidal and cometary dynamics.

Size and surface

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

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 324 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.5212 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
3.033 AU
Eccentricity
0.2734
Perihelion
2.204 AU
Aphelion
3.862222 AU
Inclination
0.9°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2456578.5
Mean Anomaly
12.85°

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
0.52115
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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