99276 (2001 QC20)

Mid-sized Outer Main-belt Asteroid

Space Reference » Outer Main-belt Asteroids » 99276 (2001 QC20)

Key Facts

Overview

99276 (2001 QC20) is a mid-sized asteroid that orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the outer reaches of the main asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 2001 QC20 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2001 QC20 orbits the sun every 2,930 days (8.02 years), coming as close as 3.13 AU and reaching as far as 4.88 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2001 QC20 is probably between 4.949 to 11.067 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

No Close Approaches

2001 QC20's orbit is 2.12 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

2001 QC20's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Feb. 2, 1997. It was last officially observed on June 19, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 902 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 2001 QC20:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 4.005 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2177
  • Inclination: 5.64°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 8.27°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 309.93°
  • Mean Anomaly: 289.98°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~6.390 km
  • Magnitude: 13.65

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,930 days (8.02 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 14.87 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 4.88 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 3.13 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 99276 (2001 QC20) 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 2001 QC20 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.