Beltrovata

2368 Beltrovata (1977 RA)

Near-Earth
Space Reference » Amor-class Asteroids » Beltrovata

Key Facts

Overview

Beltrovata is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified Beltrovata as a "Near Earth Asteroid" due to its orbit's proximity to Earth, but it is not considered potentially hazardous because computer simulations have not indicated any imminent likelihood of future collision.

Beltrovata orbits the sun every 1,120 days (3.07 years), coming as close as 1.23 AU and reaching as far as 2.98 AU from the sun. Beltrovata is about 2.3 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to Mount Everest.

The rotation of Beltrovata has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 5.79 hours.

No Close Approaches

Beltrovata's orbit is 0.23 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a 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

Beltrovata's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 4, 1977. It was last officially observed on Aug. 5, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,618 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 Beltrovata:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.105 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.4134
  • Inclination: 5.22°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 287.3°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 43.13°
  • Mean Anomaly: 29.47°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 2.30000 km
  • Magnitude: 15.19
  • Albedo: 0.27
  • Spectral type (Tholen): SQ

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,120 days (3.07 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 20.45 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.98 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.23 AU
  • Rotation Period: 5.79 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of Beltrovata 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 Beltrovata 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.