C/2016 M1 (PANSTARRS)

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Unclassified Comet
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

Comet C/2016 M1 (PANSTARRS) is an object whose orbit does not match any defined comet orbit class. NASA JPL has not classified PANSTARRS as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

PANSTARRS orbits the sun every 42,400,000 days (116,084.87 years), coming as close as 2.14 AU and reaching as far as 4759.86 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical.

No Close Approaches

PANSTARRS's orbit is 1.29 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

PANSTARRS's orbit is determined by observations dating back to June 22, 2016. It was last officially observed on March 1, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,553 observations used to determine its orbit.

Accessibility and Exploration

This comet is not considered a viable target for human exploration by the NHATS study.

References

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

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of C/2016 M1 (PANSTARRS) 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.