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Solar
Comet

Schwassmann-Wachmann

73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3-Y

Where is it now

Distance from Sun
5.225 AU
True anomaly
164.25°
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
3.332 AU
Eccentricity
0.7181
Inclination
11.55°
Orbital period
6.08 years
Perihelion
0.939 AU
Aphelion
5.724 AU
Longitude of ascending node
70.63°
Argument of periapsis
198.01°
Epoch · J2000
JD 2453895.10412 (perihelion)

Visual & observation

Absolute magnitude (H)
23.8
Spectral type
JFc

Sources