Key Facts

Overview

10406 (1997 WZ29) 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 1997 WZ29 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1997 WZ29 orbits the sun every 2,100 days (5.75 years), coming as close as 2.56 AU and reaching as far as 3.85 AU from the sun. 1997 WZ29 is about 8.1 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

The rotation of 1997 WZ29 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 6.75 hours.

No Close Approaches

1997 WZ29's orbit is 1.57 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

1997 WZ29's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 20, 1974. It was last officially observed on May 24, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 2,745 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 1997 WZ29:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.205 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.202
  • Inclination: 6.77°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 257.25°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 111.75°
  • Mean Anomaly: 215.35°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 8.12100 km
  • Magnitude: 12.95
  • Albedo: 0.141

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,100 days (5.75 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 16.60 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.85 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.56 AU
  • Rotation Period: 6.75 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 10406 (1997 WZ29) 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.