the orbit of 96p/machholz corresponds to the arietids and the marsden and kracht comet groups. its tisserand parameter with respect to jupiter, t, is 1.94 and comets are generally classified as jupiter family if t > 2. orbital integrations indicate that t was greater than 2 about 2500 years ago. 96p/machholz is currently in a 9:4 orbital resonance with jupiter. it will not make another close approach to the earth until 2028, when it will pass at a distance of . it may eventually be ejected from the solar system.