5732 (1988 WC)

Mid-sized Mars-crossing Asteroid

Space Reference » Mars-crossing Asteroids » 5732 (1988 WC)

Key Facts

Overview

5732 (1988 WC) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 1988 WC as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1988 WC orbits the sun every 1,210 days (3.31 years), coming as close as 1.32 AU and reaching as far as 3.12 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1988 WC is probably between 2.955 to 6.608 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the island of Manhattan.

The rotation of 1988 WC has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 3.10 hours.

1988 WC's spectral type None (Tholen) / S (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain and .

No Close Approaches

1988 WC's orbit is 0.50 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a 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

1988 WC's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Dec. 15, 1955. It was last officially observed on June 15, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 2,161 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 1988 WC:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.221 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.4053
  • Inclination: 22.45°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 240.51°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 253.42°
  • Mean Anomaly: 148.06°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~3.815 km
  • Magnitude: 14.77
  • Spectral type (SMASS): S

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,210 days (3.31 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.97 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.12 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.32 AU
  • Rotation Period: 3.10 hours
  • Approx. Composition: and .

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

⧉

Sky Map

The position of 5732 (1988 WC) 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 1988 WC 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.