100276 (1994 XV)

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Mars-crossing Asteroid
• Comparable in size to Mount Everest
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

100276 (1994 XV) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 1994 XV as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1994 XV orbits the sun every 1,380 days (3.78 years), coming as close as 1.53 AU and reaching as far as 3.34 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1994 XV is probably between 1.748 to 3.909 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.

No Close Approaches

1994 XV's orbit is 0.58 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

1994 XV's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Dec. 6, 1994. It was last officially observed on May 22, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 423 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 1994 XV:

• 6 Hebe (A847 NA)
• 21 Lutetia (A852 VA)
• 44 Nysa (A857 KA)

References

• JPL Small Body Database
• Mission Design
• Sky Finder Chart

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 100276 (1994 XV) 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 1994 XV 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.