129813 (1999 NJ)

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Mars-crossing Asteroid
• Comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

129813 (1999 NJ) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 1999 NJ as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1999 NJ orbits the sun every 1,310 days (3.59 years), coming as close as 1.65 AU and reaching as far as 3.03 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1999 NJ is probably between 1.048 to 2.344 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon.

No Close Approaches

1999 NJ's orbit is 0.64 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

1999 NJ's orbit is determined by observations dating back to July 6, 1999. It was last officially observed on Feb. 19, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 504 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 1999 NJ:

• 12 Victoria (A850 RA)
• 27 Euterpe (A853 VA)
• 220 Stephania (A881 KA)

References

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

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 129813 (1999 NJ) 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 1999 NJ 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.