408919 (2001 XM49)

Small Main-belt Asteroid

Space Reference » Main-belt Asteroids » 408919 (2001 XM49)

Key Facts

Overview

408919 (2001 XM49) is a small asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 2001 XM49 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2001 XM49 orbits the sun every 1,210 days (3.31 years), coming as close as 1.90 AU and reaching as far as 2.54 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2001 XM49 is probably between 0.658 to 1.472 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than ~97% of asteroids but small compared to large asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge.

No Close Approaches

2001 XM49's orbit is 0.91 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a very 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

2001 XM49's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Nov. 8, 1991. It was last officially observed on May 12, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 200 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 2001 XM49:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.22 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1434
  • Inclination: 4.34°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 243.2°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 180.25°
  • Mean Anomaly: 212.23°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~0.850 km
  • Magnitude: 18.03

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,210 days (3.31 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.96 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.54 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.90 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 408919 (2001 XM49) 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 2001 XM49 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.