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Solar
Comet

Schwassmann-Wachmann

73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3-A

Where is it now

Distance from Sun
4.172 AU
True anomaly
206.86°
As of
29 August 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.

Orbital elements

Semi-major axis
3.067 AU
Eccentricity
0.6957
Inclination
11.42°
Orbital period
5.37 years
Perihelion
0.933 AU
Aphelion
5.201 AU
Longitude of ascending node
69.94°
Argument of periapsis
198.83°
Epoch · J2000
JD 2449983.42559 (perihelion)

Visual & observation

Spectral type
JFc

Sources