131634 (2001 XN68)

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

131634 (2001 XN68) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 2001 XN68 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2001 XN68 orbits the sun every 1,280 days (3.50 years), coming as close as 1.65 AU and reaching as far as 2.97 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2001 XN68 is probably between 2.221 to 4.966 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.

No Close Approaches

2001 XN68's orbit is 0.71 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

2001 XN68's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 25, 2001. It was last officially observed on May 9, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,013 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 2001 XN68:

• 326 Tamara (A892 FD)
• 428 Monachia (A897 WA)
• 689 Zita (A916 RB)

References

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

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 131634 (2001 XN68) 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 2001 XN68 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.