Key Facts

Overview

Vasterhejde is a large asteroid that orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the outer reaches of the main asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Vasterhejde as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Vasterhejde orbits the sun every 2,090 days (5.72 years), coming as close as 2.72 AU and reaching as far as 3.68 AU from the sun. Vasterhejde is about 11.0 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Boston.

The rotation of Vasterhejde has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 20.95 hours.

No Close Approaches

Vasterhejde's orbit is 1.72 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

Vasterhejde's orbit is determined by observations dating back to March 19, 1993. It was last officially observed on June 25, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 2,955 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 Vasterhejde:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.204 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1498
  • Inclination: 7.42°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 172.73°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 97.5°
  • Mean Anomaly: 55.23°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 10.96600 km
  • Magnitude: 13.65
  • Albedo: 0.077

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,090 days (5.72 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 16.68 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.68 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.72 AU
  • Rotation Period: 20.95 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Vasterhejde 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.