100316 (1995 MM2)

Mid-sized Mars-crossing Asteroid

Space Reference » Mars-crossing Asteroids » 100316 (1995 MM2)

Key Facts

Overview

100316 (1995 MM2) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 1995 MM2 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1995 MM2 orbits the sun every 1,200 days (3.29 years), coming as close as 1.66 AU and reaching as far as 2.76 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1995 MM2 is probably between 1.454 to 3.251 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.

No Close Approaches

1995 MM2's orbit is 0.65 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a very wide berth between this asteroid and Earth at all times.

Orbital simulations conducted by NASA JPL's CNEOS do not show any close approaches to Earth.

Images and Observations

1995 MM2's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Nov. 7, 1982. It was last officially observed on April 14, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,130 observations used to determine its orbit.

Accessibility and Exploration

This asteroid is not considered a viable target for human exploration by the NHATS study.

Similar Objects

These objects have orbits that share similar characteristics to the orbit of 1995 MM2:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.212 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2497
  • Inclination: 4.85°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 174.68°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 175.59°
  • Mean Anomaly: 173.7°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~1.877 km
  • Magnitude: 16.31

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,200 days (3.29 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 20.05 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.76 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.66 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 100316 (1995 MM2) is indicated by a ◯ pink circle. Note that the object may not be in your current field of view. Use the controls below to adjust position, location, and time.

Size Rendering

The above comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 1995 MM2 to create an approximate landscape rendering with Mount Everest in the background. This approximation is built for full-resolution desktop browsers. Shape, color, and texture of asteroid are imagined.