Key Facts

Overview

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

Bontekoe orbits the sun every 2,150 days (5.89 years), coming as close as 3.16 AU and reaching as far as 3.36 AU from the sun. Bontekoe is about 14.2 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Cleveland, Ohio.

No Close Approaches

Bontekoe's orbit is 2.20 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

Bontekoe's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 24, 1960. It was last officially observed on June 23, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 2,601 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 Bontekoe:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.26 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0293
  • Inclination: 21.97°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 169.94°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 239.98°
  • Mean Anomaly: 200.65°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 14.15000 km
  • Magnitude: 12.86
  • Albedo: 0.080

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,150 days (5.89 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 16.50 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.36 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 3.16 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Bontekoe 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.