Key Facts
- Categorized as a Mars-crossing Asteroid
- Comparable in size to Mount Everest (2.15 km diameter)
- Not a Near Earth Object
- Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
- See orbit simulation
Overview
101496 (1998 XM3) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 1998 XM3 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.
1998 XM3 orbits the sun every 1,480 days (4.05 years), coming as close as 1.53 AU and reaching as far as 3.56 AU from the sun. 1998 XM3 is about 2.2 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to Mount Everest.
The rotation of 1998 XM3 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 5.05 hours.
No Close Approaches
1998 XM3's orbit is 0.54 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
1998 XM3's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Dec. 9, 1998. It was last officially observed on Feb. 19, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,713 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 1998 XM3:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.547 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.3985
- Inclination: 8.69°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 32.85°
- Argument of Periapsis: 338.93°
- Mean Anomaly: 65.1°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: 2.15200 km
- Magnitude: 15.16
- Albedo: 0.380
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,480 days (4.05 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.72 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 3.56 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 1.53 AU
- Rotation Period: 5.05 hours
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 101496 (1998 XM3) 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 1998 XM3 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.
