SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2015 XK1

2015 XK1

2015 XK1 belongs to the Apollo group of near-Earth asteroids, whose orbits cross the path of Earth; with a semi-major axis of 1.635 AU it takes 2.09 yr to circle the Sun.

Apollo Observations: 402
Orbital Period · P
2.09 yr
v(q)
42.3 km/s
v(Q)
12.8 km/s
Diameter · ≈
0.36 km
TJ
4.12
Eccentricity · e
0.5348

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (0.761 AU) and its farthest (2.509 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 1.748 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 2.09 yr (764 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 1.635 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.535) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

The orbital plane is tilted 6.46° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 42.3 km/s at perihelion and falls to 12.8 km/s at aphelion.

Because q < 1 AU and Q > 1 AU, this orbit geometrically intersects the region of Earth's orbit.

Size and surface

The measured diameter is 0.35 km, a value from direct size determination rather than from brightness alone.

A geometric albedo of 0.145 points to a comparatively bright, reflective surface.

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 402 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.3947 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
1.635 AU
Eccentricity
0.5348
Perihelion
0.761 AU
Aphelion
2.509398 AU
Inclination
6.46°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2461200.5
Mean Anomaly
329.92°

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

Predicted close approaches to Earth, from NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS).

Date (UTC)Miss distanceVelocity
2039-Jan-22 01:02 0.159369 AU
23841326 km
11.13 km/s
2041-May-04 18:27 0.157210 AU
23518328 km
11.37 km/s
2062-Jan-20 11:08 0.153853 AU
23016144 km
11.22 km/s
2064-May-04 21:32 0.156112 AU
23354001 km
11.37 km/s

Distances in astronomical units (AU) and kilometres. Source: NASA/JPL CNEOS Close Approach Data API.

Physical Parameters

Diameter
0.35 km
Albedo
0.145
Density
— g/cm³
Rotation Period
— h
Absolute Magnitude
20.0

Orbit Quality

RMS
0.39469
Condition
0
Orbit ID
—
Data source: NASA JPL Small-Body Database · NASA CNEOS. 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.

Keep exploring

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