144861 (2004 LA12)

Mid-sized Apollo-class Asteroid

Near-Earth
Space Reference » Apollo-class Asteroids » 144861 (2004 LA12)

Key Facts

Overview

144861 (2004 LA12) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2004 LA12 as a "Near Earth Asteroid" due to its orbit's proximity to Earth, but it is not considered potentially hazardous because computer simulations have not indicated any imminent likelihood of future collision.

2004 LA12 orbits the sun every 1,450 days (3.97 years), coming as close as 0.63 AU and reaching as far as 4.39 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2004 LA12 is probably between 2.180 to 4.876 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.

No Close Approaches

2004 LA12's orbit is 0.36 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a 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

2004 LA12's orbit is determined by observations dating back to March 12, 2002. It was last officially observed on March 27, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 389 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 2004 LA12:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.51 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.7492
  • Inclination: 39.41°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 159.21°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 199.47°
  • Mean Anomaly: 247.75°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~2.815 km
  • Magnitude: 15.43

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,450 days (3.97 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.83 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 4.39 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.63 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 144861 (2004 LA12) 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 2004 LA12 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.