Comet P/2017 Y3 (Leonard) is an object with a medium-length orbit that is highly inclined to the ecliptic plane of the solar system. NASA JPL has classified Leonard 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.
Leonard orbits the sun every 11,300 days (30.94 years), coming as close as 1.28 AU and reaching as far as 18.45 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical.
Leonard's orbit is 0.49 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.
Leonard's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Dec. 26, 2017. It was last officially observed on Sept. 17, 2018. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 93 observations used to determine its orbit.
The position of P/2017 Y3 (Leonard) 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.