Orbit and dynamics
Between its closest point (0.972 AU) and its farthest (5.214 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 4.242 AU over every revolution.
One full revolution takes 5.44 yr (1,987 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 3.093 AU.
The high eccentricity (0.686) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.
The orbital plane is tilted 11.23° relative to the ecliptic.
By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 39.2 km/s at perihelion and falls to 7.3 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 = 2.78, a standard discriminator between asteroidal and cometary dynamics.
Size and surface
Neither a measured diameter nor a reliable absolute magnitude is available for Schwassmann-Wachmann, so its physical size remains unconstrained.
Observation record and orbit quality
Astrometry from 515 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.4733 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
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
Orbit Quality
Related Objects
Same object type
Similar orbit
Keep exploring
Explore asteroids, comets and near-Earth objects with JPL orbital data.