Key Facts

Overview

15981 (1998 UP6) is a mid-sized asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 1998 UP6 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1998 UP6 orbits the sun every 1,540 days (4.22 years), coming as close as 1.95 AU and reaching as far as 3.26 AU from the sun. 1998 UP6 is about 7.5 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

No Close Approaches

1998 UP6's orbit is 1.00 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

1998 UP6's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Jan. 10, 1953. It was last officially observed on July 4, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,611 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 1998 UP6:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.606 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2516
  • Inclination: 17.56°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 23.59°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 300.03°
  • Mean Anomaly: 28.58°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 7.52000 km
  • Magnitude: 13.41
  • Albedo: 0.125

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,540 days (4.22 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.41 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.26 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.95 AU

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 15981 (1998 UP6) 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.