SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2026 C2

PANSTARRS

PANSTARRS follows a distinctly cometary orbit: an eccentricity of 0.314 carries it from 2.436 AU at perihelion out to 4.67 AU at aphelion.

comet Observations: 167
Orbital Period · P
6.70 yr
v(q)
21.9 km/s
v(Q)
11.4 km/s
TJ
3.02
Eccentricity · e
0.3143

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (2.436 AU) and its farthest (4.67 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 2.234 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 6.70 yr (2,446 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 3.553 AU.

An eccentricity of 0.314 makes the orbit moderately elongated.

The orbital plane is tilted 7.4° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 21.9 km/s at perihelion and falls to 11.4 km/s at aphelion.

Its Tisserand parameter with respect to Jupiter is T_J = 3.02, 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 167 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.5896 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
3.553 AU
Eccentricity
0.3143
Perihelion
2.436 AU
Aphelion
4.669708 AU
Inclination
7.4°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2461099.5
Mean Anomaly
338.83°

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
0.58958
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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