Trans-Neptunian object

2022 QD261

(2022 QD261)

2022 QD261 is a trans-Neptunian object in the Trans-Neptunian object orbit class. Its orbit takes it from 38.8 AU to 54.21 AU from the Sun; one orbit takes 317.1 years. Orbit from the JPL solution of 11 March 2026.

Where is it now

Distance from Sun: 53.508 AU
True anomaly: 200.9°
Distance from Earth: 52.962 AU
As of: 24 October 2026

Two-body Kepler propagation — accurate to ~0.1% for major planets over decades, less so for highly-perturbed bodies. Use JPL Horizons for high precision.

Seen from above the ecliptic, north up, to scale. Grid: Earth's orbit in blue. 2022 QD261 is 52.962 AU from Earth today (7.3 light-hours).

In the sky

Right ascension: 22h 20m 00s
Declination: -06° 59′ 35″
Constellation: Aquarius
Distance from Earth: 52.97 AU
Elongation from the Sun: 122.35° — well clear of the Sun

Visible from both hemispheres.

From your location

See how high it is right now, whether it is up after civil twilight, and when it rises and sets where you are.

Paste a location

How do I find my coordinates?

Google Maps on a computer

Right-click the spot where you'll be observing.
The first line of the menu is the coordinates, e.g. 51.50722, -0.12758 — click it and they're copied.
Paste them above.

Google Maps on a phone

Press and hold the spot to drop a pin.
The coordinates appear in the search bar (or on the pin's card) — tap to copy, then paste above.

A full Google Maps link works too, but the short maps.app.goo.gl share links don't carry coordinates — copy the numbers instead. We round to about a kilometre; that's all the sky calculation needs.

Know your what3words address? Paste it, e.g. ///filled.count.soap. This is optional — the three words are sent to what3words to convert them, and we don't store the address or the result.

Your location stays in your browser and is sent only for this calculation. Using a what3words address is optional; if you do, the three words go to what3words to be converted and we don't record them. Set a location first, then you can save an email alert for this object. See our privacy policy.

Two-body approximation, good to about a degree for the planets — enough to find the constellation and know whether it is up.

Orbital elements

Semi-major axis: 46.503 AU
Eccentricity: 0.1657
Inclination: 4.58°
Orbital period: 317.1 years
Perihelion: 38.799 AU
Aphelion: 54.207 AU
Longitude of ascending node: 292.17°
Argument of periapsis: 202.21°
Epoch · J2000: 2461200.5
Orbit class · TNO: Trans-Neptunian object
Earth MOID · 14,716.1 LD: 37.8139 AU
Tisserand (Jupiter): 5.989

Orbit quality

Orbit reasonably well determined (uncertainty code 5).

Observations used: 12
Data arc: 5.95 years
First observed: 22 September 2017
Last observed: 6 September 2023
Residual RMS: 0.14 ″
Solution · Otto Matic: 11 March 2026

Visual & observation

Absolute magnitude (H): 6.03

Discovery & classification

TNO

Sources

visual properties: JPL SBDB (lookup)
orbital elements: JPL SBDB