C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy)

Key Facts

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

Overview

Comet C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy) is an object whose orbit does not match any defined comet orbit class. NASA JPL has not classified Lovejoy as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Lovejoy orbits the sun every 255,000 days (698.15 years), coming as close as 0.01 AU and reaching as far as 157.35 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical.

No Close Approaches

Lovejoy's orbit is 0.49 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

Lovejoy's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Nov. 27, 2011. It was last officially observed on Jan. 6, 2012. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 123 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 Lovejoy:

• 2022 AB8

References

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

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy) 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.