Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3-AW is an object whose orbit brings it closer to the sun than Jupiter. NASA JPL has classified 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3-AW 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.
73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3-AW orbits the sun every 1,600 days (4.38 years), coming as close as 0.94 AU and reaching as far as 4.41 AU from the sun.
73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3-AW's orbit is 0.04 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.
73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3-AW's orbit is determined by observations dating back to April 19, 2006. It was last officially observed on April 26, 2006. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 29 observations used to determine its orbit.
The position of 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3-AW 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.