118174 (1991 RO24)

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Mars-crossing Asteroid
• Comparable in size to Mount Everest
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

118174 (1991 RO24) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 1991 RO24 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1991 RO24 orbits the sun every 1,290 days (3.53 years), coming as close as 1.60 AU and reaching as far as 3.03 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1991 RO24 is probably between 1.382 to 3.091 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.

No Close Approaches

1991 RO24's orbit is 0.59 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

1991 RO24's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 8, 1991. It was last officially observed on June 27, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 513 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 1991 RO24:

• 326 Tamara (A892 FD)
• 345 Tercidina (A892 WB)
• 370 Modestia (A893 NB)

References

• JPL Small Body Database
• Mission Design
• Sky Finder Chart

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 118174 (1991 RO24) 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 1991 RO24 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.