Key Facts

  • Categorized as a Jupiter Trojan
  • Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island (53.68 km diameter)
  • Not a Near Earth Object
  • Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
  • See orbit simulation

Overview

Idomeneus is a large asteroid that shares Jupiter's orbit around the sun. NASA JPL has not classified Idomeneus as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Idomeneus orbits the sun every 4,330 days (11.85 years), coming as close as 4.86 AU and reaching as far as 5.54 AU from the sun. Idomeneus is about 53.7 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The rotation of Idomeneus has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 479.00 hours.

No Close Approaches

Idomeneus's orbit is 3.86 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

Idomeneus's orbit is determined by observations dating back to April 20, 1955. It was last officially observed on April 5, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,254 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 Idomeneus:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 5.196 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0654
  • Inclination: 21.94°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 171.22°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 7.58°
  • Mean Anomaly: 285.76°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 53.67600 km
  • Magnitude: 10.08
  • Albedo: 0.067

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 4,330 days (11.85 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 13.05 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 5.54 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 4.86 AU
  • Rotation Period: 479.00 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Idomeneus 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.