Key Facts
- Categorized as a Main-belt Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the U.S. state of New Jersey (152.00 km diameter)
- Not a Near Earth Object
- Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
- See orbit simulation
Overview
Irene is a large asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Irene as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.
Irene orbits the sun every 1,520 days (4.16 years), coming as close as 2.16 AU and reaching as far as 3.01 AU from the sun. Irene is about 152.0 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of New Jersey.
The rotation of Irene has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 15.03 hours.
Irene's spectral type S (Tholen) / S (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain and .
No Close Approaches
Irene's orbit is 1.18 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
Irene's orbit is determined by observations dating back to May 20, 1851. It was last officially observed on July 4, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,122 observations used to determine its orbit.
Scientists have been able to determine this object's shape:
View asteroid Irene 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 Irene:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.588 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.1648
- Inclination: 9.12°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 86.08°
- Argument of Periapsis: 97.86°
- Mean Anomaly: 184.13°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: 152.00000 km
- Magnitude: 6.54
- Albedo: 0.159
- Spectral type (Tholen): S
- Spectral type (SMASS): S
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,520 days (4.16 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.52 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 3.01 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 2.16 AU
- Rotation Period: 15.03 hours
- Approx. Composition: and .
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of Irene 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.