Orbit and dynamics
Between its closest point (0.494 AU) and its farthest (950.9 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 950.4 AU over every revolution.
One full revolution takes 10,375 yr (3,789,570 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 475.7 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 88.19° carries it well above and below the ecliptic plane.
By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 59.9 km/s at perihelion and falls to 0 km/s at aphelion.
Because q < 1 AU and Q > 1 AU, this orbit geometrically intersects the region of Earth's orbit.
Its Tisserand parameter with respect to Jupiter is T_J = 0.04, a standard discriminator between asteroidal and cometary dynamics.
Size and surface
Neither a measured diameter nor a reliable absolute magnitude is available for Lovejoy, so its physical size remains unconstrained.
Observation record and orbit quality
Astrometry from 642 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.7051 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
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
Orbit Quality
Related Objects
Same object type
Similar orbit
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