SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 273P

Pons-Gambart

Pons-Gambart follows a distinctly cometary orbit: an eccentricity of 0.975 carries it from 0.81 AU at perihelion out to 64.849 AU at aphelion.

comet Observations: 1,140
Orbital Period · P
188 yr
v(q)
46.5 km/s
v(Q)
0.6 km/s
TJ
-0.64
Eccentricity · e
0.9753

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (0.81 AU) and its farthest (64.849 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 64.039 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 188 yr (68,706 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 32.83 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.975) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

A steep inclination of 136.4° carries it well above and below the ecliptic plane.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 46.5 km/s at perihelion and falls to 0.6 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 = -0.64, a standard discriminator between asteroidal and cometary dynamics.

Size and surface

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

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 1,140 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.5448 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
32.83 AU
Eccentricity
0.9753
Perihelion
0.81 AU
Aphelion
64.849099 AU
Inclination
136.4°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2456369.5
Mean Anomaly
0.46°

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
0.54482
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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