Key Facts
- Categorized as a Centaur-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the U.S. Capitol building
- Not a Near Earth Object
- Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
- See orbit simulation
Overview
2020 KD6 is a very small asteroid with an orbit between Jupiter and Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 2020 KD6 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.
2020 KD6 orbits the sun every 17,100 days (46.82 years), coming as close as 1.68 AU and reaching as far as 24.30 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2020 KD6 is probably between 0.301 to 0.673 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 90% of asteroids but tiny compared to large asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Capitol building.
No Close Approaches
2020 KD6's orbit is 1.00 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a very 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
2020 KD6's orbit is determined by observations dating back to April 20, 2020. It was last officially observed on May 29, 2020. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 23 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 2020 KD6:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 12.99 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.8706
- Inclination: 38.67°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 205.22°
- Argument of Periapsis: 76.58°
- Mean Anomaly: 23.82°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~0.389 km
- Magnitude: 19.73
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 17,100 days (46.82 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 8.26 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 24.30 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 1.68 AU
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 2020 KD6 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 below comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 2020 KD6 to create an approximate landscape rendering with New York City in the background. This approximation is built for full-resolution desktop browsers. Shape, color, and texture of asteroid are imagined.
