C/2020 F2 ATLAS
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Comet C/2020 F2 was discovered on 21 March 2020, more than three years before its perihelion passage. Later a series of pre-discovery observations were found going back to 27 May 2019 (heliocentric disctance: 10.96 au). This comet was observed until 30 May 2024 (as in February 2025).
Comet had its closest approach to the Earth on 19 April 2022 (7.85 au); about three months before its perihelion passage.
The preferred GR solution given here is based on data span over 5.01 yr in a range of heliocentric distances: 10.96 au – 8.82 au (perihelion) – 9.66 au.
This Oort spike comet suffers tiny planetary perturbations during its passage through the planetary system that lead to a bit less tight future orbit inside the Oort spike zone (see future barycentric orbits).
Comet had its closest approach to the Earth on 19 April 2022 (7.85 au); about three months before its perihelion passage.
The preferred GR solution given here is based on data span over 5.01 yr in a range of heliocentric distances: 10.96 au – 8.82 au (perihelion) – 9.66 au.
This Oort spike comet suffers tiny planetary perturbations during its passage through the planetary system that lead to a bit less tight future orbit inside the Oort spike zone (see future barycentric orbits).
solution description | ||
---|---|---|
number of observations | 1247 | |
data interval | 2019 05 27 – 2022 07 14 | |
data arc selection | data generally limited to pre-perihelion (PRE) | |
range of heliocentric distances | 10.96 au – 8.82au | |
detectability of NG effects in the comet's motion | NG effects not determinable | |
type of model of motion | GR - gravitational orbit | |
data weighting | YES | |
number of residuals | 2468 | |
RMS [arcseconds] | 0.31 | |
orbit quality class | 1a+ |
previous orbit statistics, both Galactic and stellar perturbations were taken into account | ||
---|---|---|
no. of returning VCs in the swarm | 5001 | * |
no. of escaping VCs in the swarm | 0 | |
no. of hyperbolas among escaping VCs in the swarm | 0 | |
previous reciprocal semi-major axis [10-6 au-1] | 61.89 – 62.37 – 62.86 | |
previous perihelion distance [au] | 11.94 – 12.02 – 12.1 | |
previous aphelion distance [103 au] | 31.8 – 32.06 – 32.3 | |
time interval to previous perihelion [Myr] | 2 – 2.02 – 2.04 | |
percentage of VCs with 10 < qprev < 20 | 100 |

Upper panel: Time distribution of positional observations with corresponding heliocentric (red curve) and geocentric (green curve) distance at which they were taken. The horizontal dotted line shows the perihelion distance for a given comet whereas vertical dotted line — the moment of perihelion passage.
Middle panel(s): O-C diagram for a given solution (sometimes in comparison to another solution available in CODE), where residuals in right ascension are shown using magenta dots and in declination by blue open circles.
Lowest panel: Relative weights for a given data set(s).
Middle panel(s): O-C diagram for a given solution (sometimes in comparison to another solution available in CODE), where residuals in right ascension are shown using magenta dots and in declination by blue open circles.
Lowest panel: Relative weights for a given data set(s).
previous_g orbit statistics, here only the Galactic tide has been included | ||
---|---|---|
no. of returning VCs in the swarm | 5001 | * |
no. of escaping VCs in the swarm | 0 | |
no. of hyperbolas among escaping VCs in the swarm | 0 | |
previous reciprocal semi-major axis [10-6 au-1] | 61.87 – 62.35 – 62.85 | |
previous perihelion distance [au] | 10.99 – 11.05 – 11.11 | |
previous aphelion distance [103 au] | 31.81 – 32.07 – 32.32 | |
time interval to previous perihelion [Myr] | 2 – 2.02 – 2.04 | |
percentage of VCs with 10 < qprev < 20 | 100 |