162046 (1996 RQ31) is a mid-sized asteroid that shares Jupiter's orbit around the sun. NASA JPL has not classified 1996 RQ31 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.
1996 RQ31 orbits the sun every 4,330 days (11.85 years), coming as close as 4.85 AU and reaching as far as 5.54 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1996 RQ31 is probably between 6.033 to 13.491 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.
1996 RQ31's orbit is 3.87 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.
1996 RQ31's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 13, 1996. It was last officially observed on April 9, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 487 observations used to determine its orbit.
The position of 162046 (1996 RQ31) 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.