Key Facts

Overview

115097 (2003 SK18) is a large asteroid that orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the outer reaches of the main asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 2003 SK18 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2003 SK18 orbits the sun every 2,910 days (7.97 years), coming as close as 3.04 AU and reaching as far as 4.93 AU from the sun. 2003 SK18 is about 14.7 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Baltimore.

No Close Approaches

2003 SK18's orbit is 2.05 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

2003 SK18's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Jan. 29, 1998. It was last officially observed on May 8, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,416 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 2003 SK18:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.985 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2377
  • Inclination: 9.47°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 70.35°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 355.46°
  • Mean Anomaly: 124.36°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 14.65800 km
  • Magnitude: 13.28
  • Albedo: 0.047

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,910 days (7.97 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 14.90 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 4.93 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 3.04 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 115097 (2003 SK18) 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.