SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2024 X4

PANSTARRS

PANSTARRS follows a distinctly cometary orbit: an eccentricity of 0.642 carries it from 3.605 AU at perihelion out to 16.516 AU at aphelion.

comet Observations: 57
Orbital Period · P
31.9 yr
v(q)
20.1 km/s
v(Q)
4.4 km/s
TJ
2.27
Eccentricity · e
0.6417

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (3.605 AU) and its farthest (16.516 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 12.911 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 31.9 yr (11,654 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 10.06 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.642) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

A steep inclination of 34.67° carries it well above and below the ecliptic plane.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 20.1 km/s at perihelion and falls to 4.4 km/s at aphelion.

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 57 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.449 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
10.06 AU
Eccentricity
0.6417
Perihelion
3.605 AU
Aphelion
16.515502 AU
Inclination
34.67°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2460800.5
Mean Anomaly
356.3°

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
0.44895
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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