Rhodope

166 Rhodope (A876 PB)

Space Reference » Main-belt Asteroids » Rhodope

Key Facts

  • Categorized as a Main-belt Asteroid
  • Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island (52.39 km diameter)
  • Not a Near Earth Object
  • Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
  • See orbit simulation

Overview

Rhodope is a large asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Rhodope as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Rhodope orbits the sun every 1,610 days (4.41 years), coming as close as 2.12 AU and reaching as far as 3.25 AU from the sun. Rhodope is about 52.4 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The rotation of Rhodope has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 4.72 hours.

Rhodope's spectral type GC: (Tholen) / Xe (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain iron, nickel, and cobalt.

No Close Approaches

Rhodope's orbit is 1.16 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

Rhodope's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 17, 1876. It was last officially observed on May 15, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 4,249 observations used to determine its orbit.

Scientists have been able to determine this object's shape:

View asteroid Rhodope 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 Rhodope:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.686 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2108
  • Inclination: 12.02°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 128.9°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 264.03°
  • Mean Anomaly: 97.91°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 52.39300 km
  • Magnitude: 9.92
  • Albedo: 0.046
  • Spectral type (Tholen): GC:
  • Spectral type (SMASS): Xe

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,610 days (4.41 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.15 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.25 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.12 AU
  • Rotation Period: 4.72 hours
  • Approx. Composition: iron, nickel, and cobalt.

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of Rhodope 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.