Comet 20D/Westphal is an object with a medium-length orbit that is highly inclined to the ecliptic plane of the solar system. NASA JPL has classified 20D/Westphal as a "Near Earth Asteroid" due to its orbit's proximity to Earth, but it is not considered potentially hazardous because computer simulations have not indicated any imminent likelihood of future collision.
20D/Westphal orbits the sun every 22,600 days (61.88 years), coming as close as 1.25 AU and reaching as far as 30.03 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical.
20D/Westphal's orbit is 0.47 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a 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.
20D/Westphal's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 1, 1852. It was last officially observed on Oct. 13, 1913. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 201 observations used to determine its orbit.
The position of 20D/Westphal 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.