120061 (2003 CO1)

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Centaur-class Asteroid
• Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Delaware (82.00 km diameter)
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

120061 (2003 CO1) is a large asteroid with an orbit between Jupiter and Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 2003 CO1 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2003 CO1 orbits the sun every 34,500 days (94.46 years), coming as close as 10.97 AU and reaching as far as 30.49 AU from the sun. 2003 CO1 is about 82.0 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Delaware.

The rotation of 2003 CO1 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 10.00 hours.

No Close Approaches

2003 CO1's orbit is 10.00 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 CO1's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Feb. 12, 2002. It was last officially observed on June 28, 2020. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 270 observations used to determine its orbit.

Accessibility and Exploration

This asteroid is not considered a viable target for human exploration by the NHATS study.

References

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

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 120061 (2003 CO1) 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.