Key Facts

Overview

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

Hirons orbits the sun every 2,130 days (5.83 years), coming as close as 3.11 AU and reaching as far as 3.36 AU from the sun. Hirons is about 43.1 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The rotation of Hirons has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 38.30 hours.

No Close Approaches

Hirons's orbit is 2.11 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

Hirons's orbit is determined by observations dating back to April 11, 1970. It was last officially observed on July 4, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 4,005 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 Hirons:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.236 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0393
  • Inclination: 15.6°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 189.06°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 354.95°
  • Mean Anomaly: 63.1°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 43.07200 km
  • Magnitude: 10.92
  • Albedo: 0.048

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,130 days (5.83 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 16.53 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.36 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 3.11 AU
  • Rotation Period: 38.30 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Hirons 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.