SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2016 CK246

2016 CK246

2016 CK246 is an Amor-type near-Earth asteroid that approaches Earth from beyond our orbit without crossing it, orbiting the Sun at 3.973 AU once every 7.92 yr.

Amor Observations: 213
Orbital Period · P
7.92 yr
v(q)
37.8 km/s
v(Q)
5.9 km/s
Diameter · ≈
0.16 km
TJ
2.48
Eccentricity · e
0.7299

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (1.073 AU) and its farthest (6.873 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 5.8 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 7.92 yr (2,892 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 3.973 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.73) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

The orbital plane is tilted 12.64° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 37.8 km/s at perihelion and falls to 5.9 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 0.09 km, a value from direct size determination rather than from brightness alone.

A geometric albedo of 0.347 points to a comparatively bright, reflective surface.

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 213 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.3664 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
3.973 AU
Eccentricity
0.7299
Perihelion
1.073 AU
Aphelion
6.872893 AU
Inclination
12.64°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2461200.5
Mean Anomaly
103.18°

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
2032-Jan-16 14:16 0.478628 AU
71601787 km
22.24 km/s

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

Physical Parameters

Diameter
0.094 km
Albedo
0.347
Density
— g/cm³
Rotation Period
— h
Absolute Magnitude
21.75

Orbit Quality

RMS
0.36641
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

Explore asteroids, comets and near-Earth objects with JPL orbital data.