Key Facts

Overview

Comet C/2001 W2 (BATTERS) is an object with a medium-length orbit that is highly inclined to the ecliptic plane of the solar system. NASA JPL has classified BATTERS 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.

BATTERS orbits the sun every 27,700 days (75.84 years), coming as close as 1.05 AU and reaching as far as 34.81 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical.

No Close Approaches

BATTERS's orbit is 0.15 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.

Images and Observations

BATTERS's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Nov. 21, 2001. It was last officially observed on June 7, 2002. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 350 observations used to determine its orbit.

Accessibility and Exploration

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

Similar Objects

These objects have orbits that share similar characteristics to the orbit of BATTERS:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2452248.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 17.93 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.9414
  • Inclination: 115.91°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 113.36°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 142.09°
  • Mean Anomaly: 359.75°

Physical Characteristics

  • Magnitude: 12.1

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 27,700 days (75.84 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 7.04 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 34.81 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.05 AU

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of C/2001 W2 (BATTERS) 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.