Key Facts
- Categorized as a Main-belt Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Massachusetts (175.86 km diameter)
- Not a Near Earth Object
- Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
- See orbit simulation
Overview
Diotima is a large asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Diotima as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.
Diotima orbits the sun every 1,960 days (5.37 years), coming as close as 2.96 AU and reaching as far as 3.17 AU from the sun. Diotima is about 175.9 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Massachusetts.
The rotation of Diotima has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 4.78 hours.
Diotima's spectral type C (Tholen) / C (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain water, iron, nickel, cobalt, nitrogen, and ammonia.
No Close Approaches
Diotima's orbit is 1.95 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
Diotima's orbit is determined by observations dating back to May 2, 1899. It was last officially observed on July 5, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 8,366 observations used to determine its orbit.
Scientists have been able to determine this object's shape:
View asteroid Diotima 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 Diotima:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 3.068 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.0346
- Inclination: 11.24°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 69.35°
- Argument of Periapsis: 199.58°
- Mean Anomaly: 354.75°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: 175.85900 km
- Magnitude: 7.42
- Albedo: 0.067
- Spectral type (Tholen): C
- Spectral type (SMASS): C
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,960 days (5.37 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.03 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 3.17 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 2.96 AU
- Rotation Period: 4.78 hours
- Approx. Composition: water, iron, nickel, cobalt, nitrogen, and ammonia.
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of Diotima 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.