Key Facts

Overview

11568 (1993 GL) is a mid-sized asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 1993 GL as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1993 GL orbits the sun every 1,770 days (4.85 years), coming as close as 2.78 AU and reaching as far as 2.95 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1993 GL is probably between 6.646 to 14.861 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

No Close Approaches

1993 GL's orbit is 1.77 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

1993 GL's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 20, 1985. It was last officially observed on July 2, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,206 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 1993 GL:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.866 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0292
  • Inclination: 2.74°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 48.56°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 206.79°
  • Mean Anomaly: 50.1°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~8.580 km
  • Magnitude: 13.01

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,770 days (4.85 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.62 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.95 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.78 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 11568 (1993 GL) 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.