(323137) 2003 BM80

Orbit and classification

2003 BM₈₀ is a main-belt comet with a Jupiter Tisserand's parameter of 2.99. It orbits the Sun in the outer asteroid belt at a distance of 3.4–5.1 AU once every 8 years and 9 months (3,199 days; semi-major axis of 4.25 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.19 and an inclination of 6° with respect to the ecliptic.

The body's observation arc begins with its first precovery observation by the NEAT program in December 2001, more than a year before its official discovery observation at Anderson Mesa.

In 2022 a team from Northern Arizona University determined that 2003 BM₈₀ is a Quasi-Hilda Object with a sustained activity outburst, lasting over 15 months. Their dynamical simulations showed that this object has undergone at least five close encounters with Jupiter and one with Saturn over the last 180 years. It was likely a Centaur or Jupiter family comet 250 years ago. In the future, this object will have about 15 strong interactions with Jupiter, and 380 years in the future, it might become again a Jupiter family comet. But it could also become a main-belt asteroid.