Key Facts

Overview

65407 (2002 RP120) is a large asteroid whose orbit extends beyond the orbit of Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 2002 RP120 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2002 RP120 orbits the sun every 145,000 days (396.99 years), coming as close as 2.49 AU and reaching as far as 105.61 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. 2002 RP120 is about 14.6 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Cleveland, Ohio.

The rotation of 2002 RP120 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 200.00 hours.

No Close Approaches

2002 RP120's orbit is 1.50 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

2002 RP120's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Feb. 13, 2001. It was last officially observed on June 22, 2004. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 539 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 2002 RP120:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 54.05 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.9539
  • Inclination: 119.55°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 38.91°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 357.82°
  • Mean Anomaly: 18.99°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 14.60000 km
  • Magnitude: 12.43
  • Albedo: 0.098

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 145,000 days (396.99 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 4.06 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 105.61 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.49 AU
  • Rotation Period: 200.00 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 65407 (2002 RP120) 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.