SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2020 S7

PANSTARRS

PANSTARRS follows a distinctly cometary orbit: an eccentricity of 0.411 carries it from 2.961 AU at perihelion out to 7.087 AU at aphelion.

comet Observations: 126
Orbital Period · P
11.3 yr
v(q)
20.6 km/s
v(Q)
8.6 km/s
TJ
2.76
Eccentricity · e
0.4106

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (2.961 AU) and its farthest (7.087 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 4.126 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 11.3 yr (4,113 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 5.024 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.411) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

The orbital plane is tilted 16.09° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 20.6 km/s at perihelion and falls to 8.6 km/s at aphelion.

Its Tisserand parameter with respect to Jupiter is T_J = 2.76, a standard discriminator between asteroidal and cometary dynamics.

Size and surface

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

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 126 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.3811 arcseconds.

Condition code U = 5 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
5.024 AU
Eccentricity
0.4106
Perihelion
2.961 AU
Aphelion
7.086854 AU
Inclination
16.09°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2459121.5
Mean Anomaly
355.62°

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
0.38113
Condition
5
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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