Key Facts

Overview

Comet 165P/LINEAR is an object whose orbit is approximately between Jupiter and Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 165P/LINEAR as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

165P/LINEAR orbits the sun every 28,000 days (76.66 years), coming as close as 6.83 AU and reaching as far as 29.27 AU from the sun.

No Close Approaches

165P/LINEAR's orbit is 5.87 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is an extremely wide berth between this asteroid and Earth at all times.

Orbital simulations conducted by NASA JPL's CNEOS do not show any close approaches to Earth.

Images and Observations

165P/LINEAR's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Jan. 2, 2000. It was last officially observed on April 25, 2003. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 143 observations used to determine its orbit.

Accessibility and Exploration

This comet is not considered a viable target for human exploration by the NHATS study.

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2452114.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 18.05 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.6216
  • Inclination: 15.91°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 0.64°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 126.21°
  • Mean Anomaly: 5.18°

Physical Characteristics

  • Magnitude: 5.9

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 28,000 days (76.66 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 7.01 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 29.27 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 6.83 AU

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 165P/LINEAR is indicated by a ◯ pink circle. Note that the object may not be in your current field of view. Use the controls below to adjust position, location, and time.