Key Facts

Overview

Asbolus is a large asteroid with an orbit between Jupiter and Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified Asbolus as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Asbolus orbits the sun every 28,100 days (76.93 years), coming as close as 6.88 AU and reaching as far as 29.26 AU from the sun. Asbolus is about 66.0 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The rotation of Asbolus has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 8.94 hours.

No Close Approaches

Asbolus's orbit is 5.91 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

Asbolus's orbit is determined by observations dating back to March 28, 1995. It was last officially observed on Sept. 14, 2018. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 503 observations used to determine its orbit.

Accessibility and Exploration

This asteroid is not considered a viable target for human exploration by the NHATS study.

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 18.07 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.6191
  • Inclination: 17.61°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 5.83°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 290.8°
  • Mean Anomaly: 99.02°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 66.00000 km
  • Magnitude: 9.21
  • Albedo: 0.13

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 28,100 days (76.93 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 7.00 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 29.26 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 6.88 AU
  • Rotation Period: 8.94 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Asbolus 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.