Key Facts

Overview

10790 (1991 XS) is a mid-sized asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 1991 XS as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1991 XS orbits the sun every 1,930 days (5.28 years), coming as close as 2.64 AU and reaching as far as 3.42 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1991 XS is probably between 6.959 to 15.561 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

The rotation of 1991 XS has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 8.49 hours.

No Close Approaches

1991 XS's orbit is 1.67 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

1991 XS's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 18, 1990. It was last officially observed on Feb. 19, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,536 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 1991 XS:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.031 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1299
  • Inclination: 9.97°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 235.77°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 243.49°
  • Mean Anomaly: 327.53°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~8.984 km
  • Magnitude: 12.91

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,930 days (5.28 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.09 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.42 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.64 AU
  • Rotation Period: 8.49 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 10790 (1991 XS) 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.