Asteroids

3200 Phaethon help

Last update: 2026-10-07 14:31 UTC

Orbital Properties

Epoch

61400.0

MJD

Orbit type

Apollo

Perihelion (q)

0.140

Aphelion (Q)

2.403

Eccentricity (e)

0.890

Inclination (i)

22.3

deg

Orbit period (P)

523.6

Earth MOID

0.01865

U parameter

0.0

Next Earth close approach

Date

2050-12-11

Nominal distance (from Earth center)

0.08257

12352377

Maximum Brightness

13.4

mag

Risk

Object is not in risk list

Physical Properties

Absolute Magnitude (H)

14.4

mag

Diameter

2950

Taxonomic type

Rotation period (T)

3.597

Discovery Information

Discovery Date

1983-10-11

Observatory

Geocentric

ORBIT VISUALISATION TOOLS

External links

Proper elements

Epoch

Near present day

Near middle of observation arc

Orbit properties

Epoch
Semimajor Axis
Eccentricity (e)
Inclination (i)
Long. of Ascending Node (Ω)
Arg. of Perihelion (ω)
Mean Anomaly (M)
Perihelion distance
Aphelion distance
Asc. Node-Earth Sep.
Desc. Node-Earth Sep.
MOID
Orbit Period
U parameter

Value

1-sigma variation

Unit

Epoch

Value

61400.0000

1-sigma variation

Unit

MJD

Semimajor Axis

Value

1.271391

1-sigma variation

2.611E-10

Unit

Eccentricity (e)

Value

0.889669

1-sigma variation

7.518E-9

Unit

Inclination (i)

Value

22.3108

1-sigma variation

3.063E-6

Unit

Long. of Ascending Node (Ω)

Value

265.0927

1-sigma variation

2.953E-6

Unit

Arg. of Perihelion (ω)

Value

322.3028

1-sigma variation

3.138E-6

Unit

Mean Anomaly (M)

Value

78.98458

1-sigma variation

1.001E-6

Unit

Perihelion distance

Value

0.140274

1-sigma variation

Unit

Aphelion distance

Value

2.402509

1-sigma variation

Unit

Asc. Node-Earth Sep.

Value

-0.858617

1-sigma variation

Unit

Desc. Node-Earth Sep.

Value

-0.088971

1-sigma variation

Unit

MOID

Value

0.018650

1-sigma variation

Unit

Orbit Period

Value

523.6213

1-sigma variation

Unit

U parameter

Value

0.0

1-sigma variation

Unit

Covariance Matrix

	a	e	i	Ω	ω	M
a	6.81957E-20	-2.72734E-19	3.12553E-16	-5.66437E-16	5.40702E-16	-2.41738E-16
e	-2.72734E-19	5.65170E-17	-8.49166E-16	3.40381E-15	6.04166E-15	3.07321E-15
i	3.12553E-16	-8.49166E-16	9.38338E-12	-5.29439E-12	5.25068E-12	-1.24082E-12
Ω	-5.66437E-16	3.40381E-15	-5.29439E-12	8.72168E-12	-8.47169E-12	2.40395E-12
ω	5.40702E-16	6.04166E-15	5.25068E-12	-8.47169E-12	9.84633E-12	-2.00308E-12
M	-2.41738E-16	3.07321E-15	-1.24082E-12	2.40395E-12	-2.00308E-12	1.00107E-12

Date of computation: 2026-10-07 14:31 UTC

Note: The ASCII file is in a format suitable for Orbfit input.

Download ASCII file:

Physical properties

Rotation Period
Quality
Amplitude
Rotation Direction
Spinvector L
Spinvector B

Rotational properties

Value

Unit

Source

Rotation Period

Value

3.603

3.597

3.589

Unit

Source

[9]

[1]

[2]

Quality

Value

Unit

Source

[9]

Amplitude

Value

0.16

0.19

0.11-0.44

Unit

mag

Source

[1]

[2]

[9]

Rotation Direction

Value

Unit

Source

[-]

Spinvector L

Value

Unit

Source

[1]

Spinvector B

Value

Unit

Source

[1]

Taxonomy
Taxonomy (all)

Taxonomy

Value

Unit

Source

Taxonomy

Value

Unit

Source

[4]

[5]

[6]

Taxonomy (all)

Value

F,B

Unit

Source

[7]

[8]

Absolute Magnitude (H)
Slope Parameter (G)

H / G

Value

Unit

Source

Absolute Magnitude (H)

Value

13.9

14.372

Unit

mag

Source

[10]

[11]

Slope Parameter (G)

Value

0.15**

0.06

Unit

Source

[11]

[10]

Albedo
Diameter

Size and albedo

Value

Unit

Source

Albedo

Value

0.11

0.194

Unit

Source

[14]

[12]

Diameter

Value

2950

Unit

Source

[12]

Color Index Information

Color Index Information

Value

Unit

Source

Color Index Information

Value

0.67

0.32

Unit

B-V

V-R

Source

[15]

[3]

Sightings

Sightings

Value

Unit

Source

Sightings

Value

Radar R

Visual S

Unit

Source

[16]

[17]

Download this part as:

Sources

No.	Name	Additional
[1]	EARN	1.) Near-Earth Asteroid Lightcurve Analysis at the Center for Solar System Studies: 2019 September-2020 January, B.D. Warner
[2]	EARN	1.) A. V. Sergeyev, B. Carry et al A&A, 658 (2022) A109
[3]	EARN	1.) Ansdell, M. et al. (2014) Astrophys. J. 793, 50. (Refined Rotational Period, Pole Solution & Shape Model for (3200) Phaethon)
[4]	EARN	1.) Michaël Marsset et al 2022 AJ 163 165
[5]	EARN	1.) Alexey V. Sergeyev and Benoit Carry A&A, 652 (2021) A59
[6]	EARN	1.) Thomas, C.A. et al. (2014) Icarus 228, 217-246. (Physical characterization of Warm Spitzer-observed near-Earth objects)
[7]	EARN	Earth Asteroids Research Node: https://earn.dlr.de
[8]	EARN	1.) Tholen, D.J. (1989) in "Asteroids II" (Eds. R.P.Binzel et al.), Univ.Ariz.Press, Tucson, USA, pp. 1139-1150. 2.) Hicks, M.D. et al. (1998) Icarus 133, 69-78. (The Unusual Spectra of 15 Near-Earth Asteroids and Extinct Comet Candidates)(1566,1620,2063,2102,2201,3200,4953,6053,6489, 7092,8176,1994ES1,1995CR,1996JA1) 3.) Bus, S.J. & Binzel, R.P. (2002) Icarus 158,106-145. (Phase II of the Small Main-Belt Asteroid Spectrographic Survey: A Feature-Based Taxonomy.) 4.) Binzel, R.P. et al. (2004) Icarus 170, 259-294. (Observed spectral properties of near-Earth objects: results for population distribution, source regions, and space weathering processes.) 5.) Fornasier, S. et al. (2006) Astron. Astrophys. 455, 371-377. (Polarimetric survey of asteroids with the Asiago telescope) (..1627,3200,..)
[9]	EARN	1.) Ansdell, M. et al. (2014) Astrophys. J. 793, 50. (Refined Rotational Period, Pole Solution & Shape Model for (3200) Phaethon) 2.) Pravec, P. et al. (1998) Icarus 136, 124-153. (Lightcurves of 26 Near-Earth Asteroids)(1943,2063,2100,3103,3122,3200, 3691,3752,4341,4957,5143,5587,7025,7341,7480,7482,7822,8034, 1989UQ,1992CC1,1992QN,1995FX,1997BR,1997GH3,1997GL3,1997SE5) 3.) Wisniewski, W.Z. et al. (1997) Icarus 126, 395-449. (Photometric Observations of 125 Asteroids) 4.) Krugly, Yu.N. et al. (2002) Icarus 158, 294-304. (The Near-Earth Objects Follow-up Program. IV. CCD Photometry in 1996-1999). 5.) Petr Pravec's Ondrejov NEO Photometric Program Webpage "Prepublished Periods" 6.) Meech, K.J. et al. (1996) Abstracts of ACM96, 42. (3200) 7.) Harris, A.W. (DLR) (1998) Icarus 131, 291-301. (A Thermal Model for Near-Earth Asteroids) 8.) Krugly, Yu. N. et al. (2006) IAU Symp. 236, 385-390. (Kharkiv study of near-Earth asteroids) (1036,1627,1685, 1862,1980,3103,3200,4179,6611,8567,11405,13553,23187,54509, 66251,100085,1999LF6,2004XP14,2005AB,2006CV69,2006BQ6) 9.) Warner, B.D. (2015) MPB 42, 115-127. (NEAR-EARTH ASTEROID LIGHTCURVE ANALYSIS AT CS3-PALMER DIVIDE STATION: 2014 OCTOBER-DECEMBER)(43NEAs) 10.) Schmidt, R.E. (2018) MPB 45, 131. (PHOTOMETRY OF 3200 PHAETHON)
[10]	EARN	1.) Ansdell, M. et al. (2014) Astrophys. J. 793, 50. (Refined Rotational Period, Pole Solution & Shape Model for (3200) Phaethon) 2.) Pravec, P. et al. (2012) Icarus 221, 365-387 (Absolute magnitudes of asteroids and a revision of asteroid albedo estimates from WISE thermal observations) 3.) Wisniewski, W.Z. et al. (1997) Icarus 126, 395-449. (Photometric Observations of 125 Asteroids)
[11]	ESA Aegis	ESA orbit determination and impact monitoring system
[12]	EARN	1.) Joseph R. Masiero et al 2021 Planet. Sci. J. 2 162
[13]	EARN	1.) Harris, A.W. (DLR) (1998) Icarus 131, 291-301. (A Thermal Model for Near-Earth Asteroids) 2.) Harris, A.W. (DLR) & J.S.V Lagerros (2002) in "Asteroids III" (Eds. W.F.Bottke et al.), Univ.Ariz.Press, Tucson, USA, pp. 205-218. (Asteroids in the thermal infrared) 3.) Veeder, G.J. et al. (1984) LPSC XV, 878. (The earth-crossing asteroid 1983 TB) 4.) Green, S.F. et al. (1985) MNRAS 214, 29P-36P. (Infrared observations of the extinct cometary candidate minor planet (3200) 1983TB) 5.) Usui, F. et al. (2011) Pub. Astron. Soc. Japan 63, 1117-1138. (Asteroid Catalog Using AKARI: AKARI/IRC Mid-Infrared Asteroid Survey) 6.) Tedesco, E.F. et al. (2004) IRAS Minor Planet Survey. IRAS-A-FPA-3-RDR-IMPS-V6.0. NASA Planetary Data System.
[14]	EARN	1.) Harris, A.W. (DLR) (1998) Icarus 131, 291-301. (A Thermal Model for Near-Earth Asteroids) 2.) Harris, A.W. (DLR) & J.S.V Lagerros (2002) in "Asteroids III" (Eds. W.F.Bottke et al.), Univ.Ariz.Press, Tucson, USA, pp. 205-218. (Asteroids in the thermal infrared) 3.) Veeder, G.J. et al. (1984) LPSC XV, 878. (The earth-crossing asteroid 1983 TB) 4.) Usui, F. et al. (2011) Pub. Astron. Soc. Japan 63, 1117-1138. (Asteroid Catalog Using AKARI: AKARI/IRC Mid-Infrared Asteroid Survey) 5.) Tedesco, E.F. et al. (2004) IRAS Minor Planet Survey. IRAS-A-FPA-3-RDR-IMPS-V6.0. NASA Planetary Data System.
[15]	EARN	1.) Jewitt, D. (2013) Astron. J. 145_133. (properties of Near-Sun Asteroids) (3200,105140,141851,276033,2004UL, 2002PD43,2006TC,2005UD,1999YC)
[16]	EARN	1.) href="http://echo.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroids/index.html">JPL's NEO Radar Detection Program Webpage
[17]	EARN	1.) Lazzarin, M. et al. (1996) Icarus 122, 122-127. (Visible Spectroscopy of Possible Cometary Candidates) 2.) Binzel, R.P. et al. (2001) Icarus 151,139-149. (Spectral Properties of Near-Earth Objects: Palomar and IRTF Results for 48 Objects Including Spacecraft Targets (9969) Braille and (10302) 1989 ML) 3.) Bus, S.J. & Binzel, R.P. (2002) Icarus 158,106-145. (Phase II of the Small Main-Belt Asteroid Spectrographic Survey: A Feature-Based Taxonomy.) 4.) Binzel, R.P. et al. (2004) Icarus 170, 259-294. (Observed spectral properties of near-Earth objects: results for population distribution, source regions, and space weathering processes.) 5.) Licandro, J. et al. (2007) Astron. Astrophys. 461, 751-757. (The nature of comet-asteroid transition object (3200) Phaethon) 6.) Hicks, M.D. et al. (1998) Icarus 133, 69-78. (The Unusual Spectra of 15 Near-Earth Asteroids and Extinct Comet Candidates)(1566,1620,2063,2102,2201,3200,4953,6053,6489, 7092,8176,1994ES1,1995CR,1996JA1) 7.) Fevig. R.A. and U. Fink (2007) Icarus 188, 175-188. (Spectral observations of 19 weathered and 23 fresh NEAs and their correlations with orbital parameters)(433,1036, 1627,1685,1862,1866,1943,1980,3103,3122,3199,3671,4183,4341, 4954,5587,5751,5836,6037,7358,7482,7753,7822,7977,8201, 10563,11066,13651,13651,19356,20236,20255,35107,85490, J97GD32,J97UH9,J97US9,J98HE3,J98HT31,J98ME3,J98MS2,K04LC2) 8.) Binzel, R.P. et al. (2006) LPSC 37, 1491. (The MIT-Hawaii-IRTF joint campaign for NEO spectral reconnaissance.) 9.) Binzel, R.P. et al. href="http://smass.mit.edu/minus.html"> Webpage 10.) Thomas, C.A. et al. (2014) Icarus 228, 217-246. (Physical characterization of Warm Spitzer-observed near-Earth objects)

Observational Information

Arc Length
Unobserved
Normalized RMS of residuals

Arc Information

Value

Unit

Source

Arc Length

Value

15702

Unit

Source

[1]

Unobserved

Value

Unit

Source

[1]

Normalized RMS of residuals

Value

0.403601

Unit

Source

[1]

Astrometry Summary

First Observation
Last Observation
Total Optical Observations (Discarded)

Optical

Value

Unit

Source

First Observation

Value

1983-10-11.06869

Unit

Source

[2]

Last Observation

Value

2026-10-06.81495

Unit

Source

[2]

Total Optical Observations (Discarded)

Value

9080 (41)

Unit

Source

[1]

Radar Summary

First Observation
Last Observation
Delay (Discarded)
Doppler (Discarded)
Total Optical Observations (Discarded)

Radar

Value

Unit

Source

First Observation

Value

2007-12-08

Unit

Source

[3]

Last Observation

Value

2017-12-19

Unit

Source

[3]

Delay (Discarded)

Value

8 (0)

Unit

Source

[1]

Doppler (Discarded)

Value

0 (0)

Unit

Source

[-]

Total Radar Observations (Discarded)

Value

8 (0)

Unit

Source

[1]

Note: The ASCII file is in a format suitable for Orbfit input.

Sources

No.	Name	Additional
[1]	ESA Aegis	ESA orbit determination and impact monitoring system
[2]	MPC	Minor Planet Center: https://www.minorplanetcenter.net
[3]	JPL Radar Observations	Jet Propulsion Laboratory: https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/dat/radar_data_ast.txt

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Note: Ephemerides requests are limited to a maximum of 1000 points and a final date not exceeding 2040/12/31 00:00.

Close Approaches for 3200 Phaethon from 1950 to 2126

Body	Date in UTC	Time uncert. in min	Nominal distance in au	Min. possible distance in au	Distance uncert. in au
VENUS	1950-08-18 06:58	< 1 s	0.0421761	0.0421760	0.0000000
EARTH	1964-12-08 17:02	< 1 s	0.1312803	0.1312801	0.0000001
EARTH	1974-12-16 08:41	< 1 s	0.0547470	0.0547468	0.0000001
EARTH	2007-12-10 04:42	< 1 s	0.1208956	0.1208956	0.0000000
EARTH	2017-12-16 22:59	< 1 s	0.0689317	0.0689317	0.0000000
EARTH	2050-12-11 19:43	< 1 s	0.0825705	0.0825704	0.0000001
EARTH	2060-12-18 11:31	< 1 s	0.1111297	0.1111295	0.0000001
EARTH	2093-12-14 10:51	< 1 s	0.0198124	0.0198123	0.0000000
EARTH	2103-12-22 08:49	< 1 s	0.1715410	0.1715409	0.0000000

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Stationary Points

Ecc. an. ast.	Ecc. an. Earth	Distance in au	Classification
284.90717396	339.86678887	0.01865023	MINIMUM
73.70368684	270.97892915	0.36428595	MINIMUM
0.38012035	122.45268967	0.87204566	SADDLE
0.87835365	304.71591553	1.12701817	SADDLE
178.68702116	306.57415687	1.45848345	SADDLE
180.77825534	127.07205106	3.39167353	MAXIMUM

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MOID Plots

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