Many asteroids have been placed in groups and families based on their orbital characteristics.

It gives its name to the 'Halley group' of comets, which share these orbital characteristics.

In the late 1950s and 1960s, the unusual orbital characteristics of Phobos led to speculations that it might be hollow.

Differences in the two groups' results may involve the planetary orbital characteristics assumed in calculations.

Many of these shared some of Pluto's key orbital characteristics and are now called plutinos.

In addition to the distinct orbital characteristics the two populations display different physical characteristics.

But astronomers point out that they know the rock's orbital characteristics very well and are easily able to predict its path.

The team identified a cluster of 39 rocky objects sharing certain orbital characteristics.

And the age since formation can be derived from orbital characteristics.

The satellite's companion, Earth Observing-1, trails by one minute and follows the same orbital characteristics.