Key Facts

  • Categorized as a Main-belt Asteroid
  • Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island (42.33 km diameter)
  • Not a Near Earth Object
  • Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
  • See orbit simulation

Overview

Reunerta is a large asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Reunerta as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Reunerta orbits the sun every 1,530 days (4.19 years), coming as close as 2.10 AU and reaching as far as 3.11 AU from the sun. Reunerta is about 42.3 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The rotation of Reunerta has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 13.04 hours.

No Close Approaches

Reunerta's orbit is 1.11 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

Reunerta's orbit is determined by observations dating back to July 21, 1928. It was last officially observed on July 4, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,840 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 Reunerta:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.602 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1935
  • Inclination: 9.47°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 81.31°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 247.75°
  • Mean Anomaly: 222.36°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 42.33300 km
  • Magnitude: 10.75
  • Albedo: 0.043

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,530 days (4.19 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.50 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.11 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.10 AU
  • Rotation Period: 13.04 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Reunerta 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.