Myrrha

381 Myrrha (A894 AC)

Space Reference » Outer Main-belt Asteroids » Myrrha

Key Facts

Overview

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

Myrrha orbits the sun every 2,110 days (5.78 years), coming as close as 2.93 AU and reaching as far as 3.51 AU from the sun. Myrrha is about 127.6 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Connecticut.

The rotation of Myrrha has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 6.57 hours.

Myrrha's spectral type C (Tholen) / Cb (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain water, iron, nickel, cobalt, nitrogen, and ammonia.

No Close Approaches

Myrrha's orbit is 1.93 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

Myrrha's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Jan. 11, 1894. It was last officially observed on July 5, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 4,900 observations used to determine its orbit.

Scientists have been able to determine this object's shape:

View asteroid Myrrha in 3D.

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 Myrrha:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.223 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0897
  • Inclination: 12.56°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 125.06°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 144.45°
  • Mean Anomaly: 71.92°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 127.63900 km
  • Magnitude: 8.45
  • Albedo: 0.064
  • Spectral type (Tholen): C
  • Spectral type (SMASS): Cb

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,110 days (5.78 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 16.62 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.51 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.93 AU
  • Rotation Period: 6.57 hours
  • Approx. Composition: water, iron, nickel, cobalt, nitrogen, and ammonia.

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of Myrrha 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.