SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2019 A2

ATLAS

ATLAS follows a distinctly cometary orbit: an eccentricity of 0.382 carries it from 3.543 AU at perihelion out to 7.923 AU at aphelion.

comet Observations: 284
Orbital Period · P
13.7 yr
v(q)
18.6 km/s
v(Q)
8.3 km/s
TJ
2.78
Eccentricity · e
0.382

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (3.543 AU) and its farthest (7.923 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 4.38 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 13.7 yr (5,014 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 5.733 AU.

An eccentricity of 0.382 makes the orbit moderately elongated.

The orbital plane is tilted 14.86° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 18.6 km/s at perihelion and falls to 8.3 km/s at aphelion.

Its Tisserand parameter with respect to Jupiter is T_J = 2.78, a standard discriminator between asteroidal and cometary dynamics.

Size and surface

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

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 284 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.5297 arcseconds.

Condition code U = 3 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
5.733 AU
Eccentricity
0.382
Perihelion
3.543 AU
Aphelion
7.923006 AU
Inclination
14.86°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2458523.5
Mean Anomaly
5.71°

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
0.52973
Condition
3
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.

Keep exploring

Explore asteroids, comets and near-Earth objects with JPL orbital data.