SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 2021 TC3

2021 TC3

2021 TC3 is an Amor-type near-Earth asteroid that approaches Earth from beyond our orbit without crossing it, orbiting the Sun at 1.984 AU once every 2.79 yr.

Amor Observations: 26
Orbital Period · P
2.79 yr
v(q)
34.3 km/s
v(Q)
13.1 km/s
Diameter · ≈
0.04 km
TJ
3.72
Eccentricity · e
0.4478

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (1.095 AU) and its farthest (2.872 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 1.777 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 2.79 yr (1,021 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 1.984 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.448) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

The orbital plane is tilted 6.92° relative to the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 34.3 km/s at perihelion and falls to 13.1 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 = 24.6 and an assumed geometric albedo of 0.14, the diameter works out to roughly 0.04 km.

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 26 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.3669 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
1.984 AU
Eccentricity
0.4478
Perihelion
1.095 AU
Aphelion
2.872435 AU
Inclination
6.92°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2461200.5
Mean Anomaly
234.7°

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
2035-Oct-05 08:17 0.122042 AU
18257182 km
8.17 km/s
2049-Sep-18 03:09 0.301385 AU
45086554 km
15.07 km/s

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

Physical Parameters

Diameter
— km
Albedo
—
Density
— g/cm³
Rotation Period
— h
Absolute Magnitude
24.6

Orbit Quality

RMS
0.3669
Condition
6
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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