SOHO

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (0.047 AU) and its farthest (4.807 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 4.76 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 3.78 yr (1,381 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 2.427 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.981) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

The orbital plane is tilted 19.74° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 193.4 km/s at perihelion and falls to 1.9 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 = 2.4, a standard discriminator between asteroidal and cometary dynamics.

Size and surface

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

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 91 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.1061 arcseconds.

Condition code U = 3 indicates a moderately constrained orbit; predictions decades ahead still carry noticeable uncertainty.