Key Facts
- Categorized as a Mars-crossing Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the island of Manhattan
- Not a Near Earth Object
- Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
- See orbit simulation
Overview
98039 (2000 RC22) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 2000 RC22 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.
2000 RC22 orbits the sun every 1,270 days (3.48 years), coming as close as 1.65 AU and reaching as far as 2.94 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2000 RC22 is probably between 2.413 to 5.396 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the island of Manhattan.
The rotation of 2000 RC22 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 3.66 hours.
No Close Approaches
2000 RC22's orbit is 0.81 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a very 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
2000 RC22's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 1, 2000. It was last officially observed on June 23, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 2,091 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 2000 RC22:References
Search
or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.296 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.2803
- Inclination: 22.82°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 181.38°
- Argument of Periapsis: 282.26°
- Mean Anomaly: 145.35°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~3.115 km
- Magnitude: 15.21
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,270 days (3.48 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.67 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 2.94 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 1.65 AU
- Rotation Period: 3.66 hours
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 98039 (2000 RC22) 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 2000 RC22 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.
