SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2017 UL8

2017 UL8

2017 UL8 belongs to the Apollo group of near-Earth asteroids, whose orbits cross the path of Earth; with a semi-major axis of 1.926 AU it takes 2.67 yr to circle the Sun.

Apollo Observations: 59
Orbital Period · P
2.67 yr
v(q)
37.5 km/s
v(Q)
12.3 km/s
Diameter · ≈
0.01 km
TJ
3.73
Eccentricity · e
0.5066

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (0.95 AU) and its farthest (2.902 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 1.952 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 2.67 yr (976 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 1.926 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.507) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

The orbital plane is tilted 10.98° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 37.5 km/s at perihelion and falls to 12.3 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

No direct size measurement is available; from an absolute magnitude of H = 28.1 and an assumed geometric albedo of 0.14, the diameter works out to roughly 0.01 km.

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 59 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.356 arcseconds.

Condition code U = 7 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
1.926 AU
Eccentricity
0.5066
Perihelion
0.95 AU
Aphelion
2.901712 AU
Inclination
10.98°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2461200.5
Mean Anomaly
70.67°

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
28.1

Orbit Quality

RMS
0.35602
Condition
7
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.

Keep exploring

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