PANSTARRS

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (0.796 AU) and its farthest (7.596 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 6.8 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 8.60 yr (3,139 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 4.196 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.81) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

The orbital plane is tilted 12.17° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 44.9 km/s at perihelion and falls to 4.7 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 = 2.27, 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 181 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.413 arcseconds.

Condition code U = 4 indicates a moderately constrained orbit; predictions decades ahead still carry noticeable uncertainty.