Key Facts

Overview

Comet 289P/Blanpain is an object whose orbit features a relatively short period, low inclination, and is controlled by Jupiter's gravitational effects. NASA JPL has classified 289P/Blanpain 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.

289P/Blanpain orbits the sun every 1,940 days (5.31 years), coming as close as 0.96 AU and reaching as far as 5.13 AU from the sun.

Close Approaches

289P/Blanpain's orbit is 0.02 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.

289P/Blanpain has 4 close approaches predicted in the coming decades:

Date Distance from Earth (km) Velocity (km/s)
Jan. 11, 2020 13,588,735 12.194
Nov. 6, 2035 12,304,258 12.612
Oct. 23, 2067 14,375,204 15.663
Jan. 31, 2115 16,722,758 15.073

Images and Observations

289P/Blanpain's orbit is determined by observations dating back to July 4, 2013. It was last officially observed on March 15, 2020. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 342 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 289P/Blanpain:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2458703.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.045 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.6851
  • Inclination: 5.9°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 68.92°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 9.85°
  • Mean Anomaly: 334.96°

Physical Characteristics

  • Magnitude: 22.1

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,940 days (5.31 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.08 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 5.13 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.96 AU

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 289P/Blanpain 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.