Key Facts

Overview

Sibylla is a large asteroid that orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the outer reaches of the main asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Sibylla as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Sibylla orbits the sun every 2,260 days (6.19 years), coming as close as 3.12 AU and reaching as far as 3.63 AU from the sun. Sibylla is about 145.4 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Connecticut.

The rotation of Sibylla has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 47.01 hours.

Sibylla's spectral type C (Tholen) / Ch (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain water, iron, nickel, cobalt, nitrogen, and ammonia.

No Close Approaches

Sibylla's orbit is 2.12 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

Sibylla's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 14, 1876. It was last officially observed on July 5, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 11,550 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 Sibylla:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.375 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0748
  • Inclination: 4.67°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 205.92°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 176.1°
  • Mean Anomaly: 222.63°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 145.36600 km
  • Magnitude: 8.32
  • Albedo: 0.056
  • Spectral type (Tholen): C
  • Spectral type (SMASS): Ch

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,260 days (6.19 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 16.25 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.63 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 3.12 AU
  • Rotation Period: 47.01 hours
  • Approx. Composition: water, iron, nickel, cobalt, nitrogen, and ammonia.

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Sibylla 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.