SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2025 D4

ATLAS

ATLAS follows a distinctly cometary orbit: an eccentricity of 0.634 carries it from 3.255 AU at perihelion out to 14.547 AU at aphelion.

comet Observations: 313
Orbital Period · P
26.6 yr
v(q)
21.1 km/s
v(Q)
4.7 km/s
TJ
2.53
Eccentricity · e
0.6343

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (3.255 AU) and its farthest (14.547 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 11.292 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 26.6 yr (9,699 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 8.901 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.634) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

The orbital plane is tilted 15.94° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 21.1 km/s at perihelion and falls to 4.7 km/s at aphelion.

Its Tisserand parameter with respect to Jupiter is T_J = 2.53, 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 313 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.4797 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
8.901 AU
Eccentricity
0.6343
Perihelion
3.255 AU
Aphelion
14.546904 AU
Inclination
15.94°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2460772.5
Mean Anomaly
1.92°

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
0.47967
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.

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