SpaceAtlas Space Object Data
NASA JPL SBDB · 246138

246138

246138 is an Amor-type near-Earth asteroid that approaches Earth from beyond our orbit without crossing it, orbiting the Sun at 2.165 AU once every 3.19 yr.

Amor Observations: 992
Orbital Period · P
3.19 yr
v(q)
34.2 km/s
v(Q)
12 km/s
Diameter · ≈
0.8 km
TJ
3.53
Eccentricity · e
0.4814

Orbit and dynamics

Between its closest point (1.123 AU) and its farthest (3.207 AU), the heliocentric distance changes by 2.084 AU over every revolution.

One full revolution takes 3.19 yr (1,164 days), computed from the semi-major axis of 2.165 AU.

The high eccentricity (0.481) produces a strongly elongated orbit, so the object spends most of its time far from the Sun.

Its inclination of 1.69° keeps it close to the plane of the ecliptic.

By the vis-viva equation its orbital speed rises to 34.2 km/s at perihelion and falls to 12 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 0.59 km, a value from direct size determination rather than from brightness alone.

A geometric albedo of 0.269 points to a comparatively bright, reflective surface.

Observation record and orbit quality

Astrometry from 992 individual observations underpins this orbit; the fit leaves an RMS residual of 0.2907 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
2.165 AU
Eccentricity
0.4814
Perihelion
1.123 AU
Aphelion
3.207231 AU
Inclination
1.69°
Orbital Period
— yr
Epoch
2461200.5
Mean Anomaly
330.93°

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
0.588 km
Albedo
0.269
Density
— g/cm³
Rotation Period
— h
Absolute Magnitude
18.25

Orbit Quality

RMS
0.29073
Condition
0
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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