P/2021 A5 (PANSTARRS)

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Encke-type Comet
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

Comet P/2021 A5 (PANSTARRS) is an object whose orbit brings it closer to the sun than Jupiter. NASA JPL has not classified PANSTARRS as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

PANSTARRS orbits the sun every 1,940 days (5.31 years), coming as close as 2.62 AU and reaching as far as 3.47 AU from the sun.

No Close Approaches

PANSTARRS's orbit is 1.67 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 Dec. 16, 2020. It was last officially observed on Jan. 15, 2021. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 43 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 PANSTARRS:

• 96 Aegle (A868 DA)
• 211 Isolda (A879 XA)
• 241 Germania (A884 RA)

References

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

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of P/2021 A5 (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.