242216 (2003 RN10)

Mid-sized Amor-class Asteroid

Near-Earth Potentially Hazardous
Space Reference » Amor-class Asteroids » 242216 (2003 RN10)

Key Facts

Overview

242216 (2003 RN10) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified 2003 RN10 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.

2003 RN10 orbits the sun every 1,220 days (3.34 years), coming as close as 1.02 AU and reaching as far as 3.44 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2003 RN10 is probably between 2.035 to 4.550 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.

No Close Approaches

2003 RN10's orbit is 0.01 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that its orbit is relatively close to Earth's orbit.

Orbital simulations conducted by NASA JPL's CNEOS do not show any close approaches to Earth.

Images and Observations

2003 RN10's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 13, 2003. It was last officially observed on Aug. 5, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 597 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 2003 RN10:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.231 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.5408
  • Inclination: 39.62°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 267.2°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 4.62°
  • Mean Anomaly: 10.68°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~2.627 km
  • Magnitude: 15.58

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,220 days (3.34 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.89 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.44 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.02 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 242216 (2003 RN10) 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 2003 RN10 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.