2016 VJ59

Mid-sized Main-belt Asteroid

Space Reference » Main-belt Asteroids » 2016 VJ59

Key Facts

Overview

2016 VJ59 is a mid-sized asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 2016 VJ59 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2016 VJ59 orbits the sun every 1,650 days (4.52 years), coming as close as 2.30 AU and reaching as far as 3.17 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2016 VJ59 is probably between 0.803 to 1.795 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge.

No Close Approaches

2016 VJ59's orbit is 1.32 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

2016 VJ59's orbit is determined by observations dating back to May 26, 2009. It was last officially observed on May 13, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 59 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 VJ59:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.738 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1587
  • Inclination: 12.77°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 87.9°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 344.89°
  • Mean Anomaly: 170.39°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~1.036 km
  • Magnitude: 17.6

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,650 days (4.52 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.05 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.17 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.30 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 2016 VJ59 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 VJ59 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.