16768 (1996 UA1) is a mid-sized asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 1996 UA1 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.
1996 UA1 orbits the sun every 1,950 days (5.34 years), coming as close as 2.67 AU and reaching as far as 3.44 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1996 UA1 is probably between 6.376 to 14.257 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.
The rotation of 1996 UA1 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 6.62 hours.
1996 UA1's orbit is 1.72 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 UA1's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 20, 1996. It was last officially observed on Feb. 9, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,008 observations used to determine its orbit.
The position of 16768 (1996 UA1) 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.