SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2016 XA18

2016 XA18

2016 XA18 belongs to the Apollo group of near-Earth asteroids, whose orbits cross the path of Earth; with a semi-major axis of 1.946 AU it takes 2.71 yr to circle the Sun.

Apollo Observations: 111
Orbital Period · P
2.71 yr
v(q)
71 km/s
v(Q)
6.4 km/s
Diameter · ≈
0.09 km
TJ
3.32
Eccentricity · e
0.8339

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (0.323 AU) and its farthest (3.569 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 3.246 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 2.71 yr (992 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 1.946 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.834) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

The orbital plane is tilted 17.74° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 71 km/s at perihelion and falls to 6.4 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 0.07 km, a value from direct size determination rather than from brightness alone.

A geometric albedo of 0.238 points to a comparatively bright, reflective surface.

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 111 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.5199 arcseconds.

Condition code U = 8 signals a poorly constrained orbit, so its future path should be treated as provisional.

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
1.946 AU
Eccentricity
0.8339
Perihelion
0.323 AU
Aphelion
3.568769 AU
Inclination
17.74°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2457730.5
Mean Anomaly
342.91°

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
0.065 km
Albedo
0.238
Density
— g/cm³
Rotation Period
— h
Absolute Magnitude
23.1

Orbit Quality

RMS
0.51994
Condition
8
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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