SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2012 VH6

2012 VH6

2012 VH6 is an Amor-type near-Earth asteroid that approaches Earth from beyond our orbit without crossing it, orbiting the Sun at 2.241 AU once every 3.35 yr.

Amor Observations: 34
Orbital Period · P
3.35 yr
v(q)
33.4 km/s
v(Q)
11.8 km/s
Diameter · ≈
0.2 km
TJ
3.46
Eccentricity · e
0.4772

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (1.172 AU) and its farthest (3.31 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 2.138 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 3.35 yr (1,225 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 2.241 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.477) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

The orbital plane is tilted 7.92° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 33.4 km/s at perihelion and falls to 11.8 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

No direct size measurement is available; from an absolute magnitude of H = 21.2 and an assumed geometric albedo of 0.14, the diameter works out to roughly 0.2 km.

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 34 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.5616 arcseconds.

Condition code U = 6 indicates a moderately constrained orbit; predictions decades ahead still carry noticeable uncertainty.

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
2.241 AU
Eccentricity
0.4772
Perihelion
1.172 AU
Aphelion
3.310405 AU
Inclination
7.92°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2461200.5
Mean Anomaly
37.17°

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
— km
Albedo
—
Density
— g/cm³
Rotation Period
— h
Absolute Magnitude
21.2

Orbit Quality

RMS
0.5616
Condition
6
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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