Key Facts

  • Categorized as a Jupiter Trojan
  • Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Connecticut (130.10 km diameter)
  • Not a Near Earth Object
  • Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
  • See orbit simulation

Overview

Achilles is a large asteroid that shares Jupiter's orbit around the sun. NASA JPL has not classified Achilles as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Achilles orbits the sun every 4,340 days (11.88 years), coming as close as 4.44 AU and reaching as far as 5.98 AU from the sun. Achilles is about 130.1 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Connecticut.

The rotation of Achilles has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 7.31 hours.

No Close Approaches

Achilles's orbit is 3.46 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

Achilles's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Feb. 22, 1906. It was last officially observed on April 12, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,513 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 Achilles:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 5.21 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1484
  • Inclination: 10.32°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 316.54°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 133.77°
  • Mean Anomaly: 10.94°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 130.09900 km
  • Magnitude: 8.28
  • Albedo: 0.043
  • Spectral type (Tholen): DU

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 4,340 days (11.88 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 13.06 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 5.98 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 4.44 AU
  • Rotation Period: 7.31 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Achilles 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.