Key Facts

Overview

38709 (2000 QO90) is a large asteroid that orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the outer reaches of the main asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 2000 QO90 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2000 QO90 orbits the sun every 2,860 days (7.83 years), coming as close as 2.91 AU and reaching as far as 4.98 AU from the sun. 2000 QO90 is about 12.9 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Cleveland, Ohio.

The rotation of 2000 QO90 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 5.98 hours.

No Close Approaches

2000 QO90'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

2000 QO90's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 16, 1953. It was last officially observed on June 27, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,980 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 2000 QO90:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.947 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2615
  • Inclination: 4.72°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 265.75°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 187.38°
  • Mean Anomaly: 260.25°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 12.93900 km
  • Magnitude: 13.25
  • Albedo: 0.080

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,860 days (7.83 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 15.01 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 4.98 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.91 AU
  • Rotation Period: 5.98 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 38709 (2000 QO90) 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.