SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 497P

Spacewatch-PANSTARRS

Spacewatch-PANSTARRS follows a distinctly cometary orbit: an eccentricity of 0.632 carries it from 2.055 AU at perihelion out to 9.119 AU at aphelion.

comet Observations: 174
Orbital Period · P
13.2 yr
v(q)
26.5 km/s
v(Q)
6 km/s
TJ
2.51
Eccentricity · e
0.6321

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (2.055 AU) and its farthest (9.119 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 7.064 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 13.2 yr (4,823 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 5.587 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.632) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

The orbital plane is tilted 10.53° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 26.5 km/s at perihelion and falls to 6 km/s at aphelion.

Its Tisserand parameter with respect to Jupiter is T_J = 2.51, a standard discriminator between asteroidal and cometary dynamics.

Size and surface

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

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 174 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.6267 arcseconds.

Condition code U = 0 means the orbit is very well determined, leaving only a small uncertainty in the future ephemeris.

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
5.587 AU
Eccentricity
0.6321
Perihelion
2.055 AU
Aphelion
9.118543 AU
Inclination
10.53°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2456805.5
Mean Anomaly
67.39°

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
0.62669
Condition
0
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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