C/1861 G1 (Thatcher)

Key Facts

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

Overview

Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher) is an object whose orbit does not match any defined comet orbit class. NASA JPL has not classified Thatcher as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Thatcher orbits the sun every 152,000 days (416.15 years), coming as close as 0.92 AU and reaching as far as 110.44 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical.

No Close Approaches

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

Images and Observations

Thatcher's orbit is determined by observations dating back to April 11, 1861. It was last officially observed on Sept. 7, 1861. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 187 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 Thatcher:

• 2000 SR331
• C/2014 G3 (PANSTARRS)

References

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

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of C/1861 G1 (Thatcher) 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.