113071 (2002 RK62)

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Mars-crossing Asteroid
• Comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

113071 (2002 RK62) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 2002 RK62 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2002 RK62 orbits the sun every 1,300 days (3.56 years), coming as close as 1.63 AU and reaching as far as 3.03 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2002 RK62 is probably between 1.182 to 2.643 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon.

No Close Approaches

2002 RK62's orbit is 0.62 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a very 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

2002 RK62's orbit is determined by observations dating back to May 22, 1998. It was last officially observed on June 23, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 655 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 2002 RK62:

• 12 Victoria (A850 RA)
• 261 Prymno (A886 UA)
• 282 Clorinde (A889 BA)

References

• JPL Small Body Database
• Mission Design
• Sky Finder Chart

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 113071 (2002 RK62) 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.

Size Rendering

The above comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 2002 RK62 to create an approximate landscape rendering with Mount Everest in the background. This approximation is built for full-resolution desktop browsers. Shape, color, and texture of asteroid are imagined.