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Solar
Comet

Schwassmann-Wachmann

73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3-BP

Where is it now

Distance from Sun
1.194 AU
True anomaly
298.41°
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
2.96 AU
Eccentricity
0.6825
Inclination
11.29°
Orbital period
5.09 years
Perihelion
0.94 AU
Aphelion
4.979 AU
Longitude of ascending node
69.81°
Argument of periapsis
198.85°
Epoch · J2000
JD 2453894.89177 (perihelion)

Visual & observation

Spectral type
JFc

Sources