SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 55P

Tempel-Tuttle

Tempel-Tuttle follows a distinctly cometary orbit: an eccentricity of 0.906 carries it from 0.976 AU at perihelion out to 19.704 AU at aphelion.

comet Observations: 392
Orbital Period · P
33.2 yr
v(q)
41.6 km/s
v(Q)
2.1 km/s
TJ
-0.64
Eccentricity · e
0.9056

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (0.976 AU) and its farthest (19.704 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 18.728 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 33.2 yr (12,144 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 10.34 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.906) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

A steep inclination of 162.5° carries it well above and below the ecliptic plane.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 41.6 km/s at perihelion and falls to 2.1 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

The measured diameter is 3.6 km, a value from direct size determination rather than from brightness alone.

Its geometric albedo of 0.06 indicates a very dark, carbonaceous-type surface.

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 392 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.7281 arcseconds.

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
10.34 AU
Eccentricity
0.9056
Perihelion
0.976 AU
Aphelion
19.703904 AU
Inclination
162.49°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2451040.5
Mean Anomaly
4.98°

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
3.6 km
Albedo
0.06
Density
— g/cm³
Rotation Period
— h
Absolute Magnitude
—

Orbit Quality

RMS
0.72806
Condition
—
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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