Key Facts

  • Categorized as a Jupiter Trojan
  • Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Delaware (100.48 km diameter)
  • Not a Near Earth Object
  • Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
  • See orbit simulation

Overview

Troilus is a large asteroid that shares Jupiter's orbit around the sun. NASA JPL has not classified Troilus as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Troilus orbits the sun every 4,400 days (12.05 years), coming as close as 4.76 AU and reaching as far as 5.74 AU from the sun. Troilus is about 100.5 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Delaware.

The rotation of Troilus has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 56.17 hours.

No Close Approaches

Troilus's orbit is 3.88 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

Troilus's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Dec. 31, 1931. It was last officially observed on July 2, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,203 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 Troilus:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 5.252 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0928
  • Inclination: 33.54°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 48.55°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 295.89°
  • Mean Anomaly: 353.41°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 100.47700 km
  • Magnitude: 8.92
  • Albedo: 0.041
  • Spectral type (Tholen): FCU

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 4,400 days (12.05 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 12.99 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 5.74 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 4.76 AU
  • Rotation Period: 56.17 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Troilus 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.