2021 GM

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Mars-crossing Asteroid
• Comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

2021 GM is a small asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 2021 GM as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2021 GM orbits the sun every 1,530 days (4.19 years), coming as close as 1.64 AU and reaching as far as 3.54 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2021 GM is probably between 0.435 to 0.973 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than ~97% of asteroids but small compared to large asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge.

No Close Approaches

2021 GM's orbit is 0.69 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

2021 GM's orbit is determined by observations dating back to April 1, 2021. It was last officially observed on June 11, 2021. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 75 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 2021 GM:

• 14 Irene (A851 KA)
• 32 Pomona (A854 UA)
• 56 Melete (A857 RB)

References

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

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 2021 GM 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 2021 GM 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.