46598 (1993 FT2)

Mid-sized Mars-crossing Asteroid

Space Reference » Mars-crossing Asteroids » 46598 (1993 FT2)

Key Facts

Overview

46598 (1993 FT2) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 1993 FT2 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1993 FT2 orbits the sun every 1,300 days (3.56 years), coming as close as 1.66 AU and reaching as far as 3.00 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1993 FT2 is probably between 4.411 to 9.864 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

The rotation of 1993 FT2 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 4.86 hours.

No Close Approaches

1993 FT2's orbit is 0.82 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

1993 FT2's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 19, 1988. It was last officially observed on June 30, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 2,051 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 1993 FT2:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.329 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.287
  • Inclination: 21.05°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 3.12°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 91.54°
  • Mean Anomaly: 263.59°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~5.695 km
  • Magnitude: 13.9

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,300 days (3.56 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.49 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.00 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.66 AU
  • Rotation Period: 4.86 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 46598 (1993 FT2) 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 1993 FT2 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.