2016 UN232

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Trans-Neptunian Object
• Comparable in size to Mount Everest
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

2016 UN232 is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit extends beyond the orbit of Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 2016 UN232 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2016 UN232 orbits the sun every 61,200 days (167.56 years), coming as close as 4.20 AU and reaching as far as 56.58 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2016 UN232 is probably between 1.797 to 4.018 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.

No Close Approaches

Orbital simulations conducted by NASA JPL's CNEOS do not show any close approaches to Earth.

Images and Observations

2016 UN232's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 27, 2016. It was last officially observed on Oct. 28, 2016. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 20 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 2016 UN232:

• 530664 (2011 SO277)

References

• JPL Small Body Database
• Mission Design
• Sky Finder Chart

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 2016 UN232 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.

Size Rendering

The above comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 2016 UN232 to create an approximate landscape rendering with Mount Everest in the background. This approximation is built for full-resolution desktop browsers. Shape, color, and texture of asteroid are imagined.