Key Facts

Overview

Comet 122P/de Vico is an object with a medium-length orbit that is highly inclined to the ecliptic plane of the solar system. NASA JPL has classified 122P/de Vico 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.

122P/de Vico orbits the sun every 27,200 days (74.47 years), coming as close as 0.66 AU and reaching as far as 34.70 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical.

No Close Approaches

122P/de Vico's orbit is 0.32 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.

Orbital simulations conducted by NASA JPL's CNEOS do not show any close approaches to Earth.

Images and Observations

122P/de Vico's orbit is determined by observations dating back to March 2, 1846. It was last officially observed on June 25, 1996. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 294 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

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2450280.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 17.68 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.9627
  • Inclination: 85.38°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 79.62°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 13.0°
  • Mean Anomaly: 3.77°

Physical Characteristics

  • Magnitude: 7.5

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 27,200 days (74.47 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 7.07 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 34.70 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.66 AU

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 122P/de Vico 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.