SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2011 BN59

2011 BN59

2011 BN59 is an Amor-type near-Earth asteroid that approaches Earth from beyond our orbit without crossing it, orbiting the Sun at 3.053 AU once every 5.33 yr.

Amor Observations: 55
Orbital Period · P
5.33 yr
v(q)
35.4 km/s
v(Q)
8.2 km/s
Diameter · ≈
0.29 km
TJ
2.83
Eccentricity · e
0.6243

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (1.147 AU) and its farthest (4.959 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 3.812 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 5.33 yr (1,948 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 3.053 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.624) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

A steep inclination of 20.38° carries it well above and below the ecliptic plane.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 35.4 km/s at perihelion and falls to 8.2 km/s at aphelion.

Its perihelion lies just outside Earth's orbit, which is why it is classed as Earth-approaching rather than Earth-crossing.

Size and surface

The measured diameter is 0.99 km, a value from direct size determination rather than from brightness alone.

Its geometric albedo of 0.013 indicates a very dark, carbonaceous-type surface.

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 55 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.696 arcseconds.

Condition code U = 0 means the orbit is very well determined, leaving only a small uncertainty in the future ephemeris.

About these computed values

Orbital periods, perihelion and aphelion speeds, and diameter estimates on this page are computed by SpaceAtlas from the JPL SBDB orbital elements. They are derived quantities, not values copied from the source catalogue.

Orbital Parameters

Semi-Major Axis
3.053 AU
Eccentricity
0.6243
Perihelion
1.147 AU
Aphelion
4.958988 AU
Inclination
20.38°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2461200.5
Mean Anomaly
311.48°

Orbit diagram

The Sun sits at the focus (orange). Earth's orbit is the grey circle at 1 AU. The red dot marks the object's position at the catalog epoch.

3D orbit (interactive)

Drag to rotate; scroll or pinch to zoom. The Sun is at the focus (orange), Earth's orbit is the grey ring at 1 AU, and the red dot marks the object's current position.

Close approaches

No close approaches to Earth are currently on record for this object.

Physical Parameters

Diameter
0.994 km
Albedo
0.013
Density
— g/cm³
Rotation Period
— h
Absolute Magnitude
20.46

Orbit Quality

RMS
0.69601
Condition
0
Orbit ID
—
Data source: NASA JPL Small-Body Database . Orbital periods, perihelion and aphelion speeds, and diameter estimates on this page are computed by SpaceAtlas from the JPL SBDB orbital elements. They are derived quantities, not values copied from the source catalogue.

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