Key Facts

Overview

10897 (1997 VW3) is a mid-sized asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 1997 VW3 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1997 VW3 orbits the sun every 1,750 days (4.79 years), coming as close as 2.60 AU and reaching as far as 3.09 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1997 VW3 is probably between 5.553 to 12.418 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

The rotation of 1997 VW3 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 12.94 hours.

No Close Approaches

1997 VW3's orbit is 1.60 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 VW3's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Dec. 22, 1978. It was last officially observed on May 21, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,667 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 VW3:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.844 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0859
  • Inclination: 2.53°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 154.43°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 220.34°
  • Mean Anomaly: 178.22°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~7.169 km
  • Magnitude: 13.4

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,750 days (4.79 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.68 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.09 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.60 AU
  • Rotation Period: 12.94 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 10897 (1997 VW3) 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.