Gerda

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Outer Main-belt Asteroid
• Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island (70.68 km diameter)
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

Gerda is a large asteroid that orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the outer reaches of the main asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Gerda as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Gerda orbits the sun every 2,120 days (5.80 years), coming as close as 3.14 AU and reaching as far as 3.32 AU from the sun. Gerda is about 70.7 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The rotation of Gerda has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 10.69 hours.

Gerda's spectral type ST (Tholen) / L (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain magnesium silicate, iron silicate, and aluminum.

No Close Approaches

Gerda's orbit is 2.16 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is an extremely 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

Gerda's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 1, 1872. It was last officially observed on July 4, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 4,050 observations used to determine its orbit.

Scientists have been able to determine this object's shape:

View asteroid Gerda in 3D.

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 Gerda:

• 108 Hecuba (A869 GB)
• 580 Selene (A905 YB)
• 842 Kerstin (A916 TB)

References

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

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Gerda 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.