Key Facts

Overview

8507 (1991 CB1) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 1991 CB1 as a "Near Earth Asteroid" due to its orbit's proximity to Earth, but it is not considered potentially hazardous because computer simulations have not indicated any imminent likelihood of future collision.

1991 CB1 orbits the sun every 800 days (2.19 years), coming as close as 0.68 AU and reaching as far as 2.69 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1991 CB1 is probably between 0.961 to 2.148 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon.

No Close Approaches

1991 CB1's orbit is 0.22 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

1991 CB1's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Feb. 15, 1991. It was last officially observed on Feb. 13, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 584 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 1991 CB1:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 1.687 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.5945
  • Inclination: 14.59°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 317.41°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 345.78°
  • Mean Anomaly: 189.49°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~1.240 km
  • Magnitude: 17.21

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 800 days (2.19 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 22.94 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.69 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.68 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 8507 (1991 CB1) 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 1991 CB1 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.