Comet 255P/Levy is an object whose orbit features a relatively short period, low inclination, and is controlled by Jupiter's gravitational effects. NASA JPL has classified 255P/Levy 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.
255P/Levy orbits the sun every 1,920 days (5.26 years), coming as close as 0.99 AU and reaching as far as 5.06 AU from the sun.
255P/Levy's orbit is 0.01 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that its orbit is relatively close to Earth's orbit.
255P/Levy has 3 close approaches predicted in the coming decades:
| Date | Distance from Earth (km) | Velocity (km/s) |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 31, 2117 | 13,582,281 | 11.204 |
| Jan. 2, 2149 | 16,167,561 | 11.593 |
| Dec. 15, 2184 | 15,882,136 | 12.208 |
255P/Levy's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 2, 2006. It was last officially observed on Oct. 7, 2021. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 503 observations used to determine its orbit.
The position of 255P/Levy 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.