42501 (1992 YC)

Mid-sized Mars-crossing Asteroid

Space Reference » Mars-crossing Asteroids » 42501 (1992 YC)

Key Facts

Overview

42501 (1992 YC) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 1992 YC as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1992 YC orbits the sun every 1,260 days (3.45 years), coming as close as 1.64 AU and reaching as far as 2.93 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1992 YC is probably between 2.515 to 5.624 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the island of Manhattan.

No Close Approaches

1992 YC's orbit is 0.72 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

1992 YC's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Dec. 21, 1954. It was last officially observed on June 28, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 808 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 1992 YC:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.283 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2822
  • Inclination: 24.58°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 264.66°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 129.96°
  • Mean Anomaly: 350.23°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~3.247 km
  • Magnitude: 15.12

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,260 days (3.45 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.71 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.93 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.64 AU

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

⧉

Sky Map

The position of 42501 (1992 YC) 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 1992 YC 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.