Key Facts
- Categorized as a Main-belt Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Delaware (79.24 km diameter)
- Not a Near Earth Object
- Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
- See orbit simulation
Overview
Hertha is a large asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Hertha as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.
Hertha orbits the sun every 1,380 days (3.78 years), coming as close as 1.93 AU and reaching as far as 2.93 AU from the sun. Hertha is about 79.2 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Delaware.
The rotation of Hertha has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 8.40 hours.
Hertha's spectral type M (Tholen) / Xk (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain iron, nickel, and cobalt.
No Close Approaches
Hertha's orbit is 0.91 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
Hertha's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 1, 1875. It was last officially observed on July 4, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 7,126 observations used to determine its orbit.
Scientists have been able to determine this object's shape:
View asteroid Hertha 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 Hertha:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.429 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.2072
- Inclination: 2.3°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 343.56°
- Argument of Periapsis: 340.44°
- Mean Anomaly: 34.51°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: 79.24000 km
- Magnitude: 8.38
- Albedo: 0.1436
- Spectral type (Tholen): M
- Spectral type (SMASS): Xk
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,380 days (3.78 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.15 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 2.93 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 1.93 AU
- Rotation Period: 8.40 hours
- Approx. Composition: iron, nickel, and cobalt.
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of Hertha 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.