P/2009 O3 (Hill)

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Jupiter-family Comet
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

Comet P/2009 O3 (Hill) is an object whose orbit features a relatively short period, low inclination, and is controlled by Jupiter's gravitational effects. NASA JPL has not classified Hill as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Hill orbits the sun every 7,990 days (21.88 years), coming as close as 2.45 AU and reaching as far as 13.20 AU from the sun.

No Close Approaches

Hill's orbit is 1.45 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

Hill's orbit is determined by observations dating back to July 24, 2009. It was last officially observed on Jan. 3, 2010. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 328 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 Hill:

• 2010 EG4
• 2015 UH67
• P/2006 HR30 (Siding Spring)

References

• JPL Small Body Database
• Mission Design
• Sky Finder Chart

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of P/2009 O3 (Hill) 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.