Key Facts

Overview

151P/Helin is a mid-sized comet whose orbit features a relatively short period, low inclination, and is controlled by Jupiter's gravitational effects. NASA JPL has not classified 151P/Helin as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

151P/Helin orbits the sun every 5,110 days (13.99 years), coming as close as 2.49 AU and reaching as far as 9.12 AU from the sun. 151P/Helin is about 8.4 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

No Close Approaches

151P/Helin's orbit is 1.49 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

151P/Helin's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 24, 1987. It was last officially observed on Jan. 26, 2016. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 420 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 151P/Helin:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2455249.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 5.807 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.5709
  • Inclination: 4.73°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 143.55°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 215.53°
  • Mean Anomaly: 215.44°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 8.40000 km
  • Magnitude: 8.5

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 5,110 days (13.99 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 12.36 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 9.12 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.49 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 151P/Helin 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.