12198 (1980 PJ1)

Mid-sized Mars-crossing Asteroid

Space Reference » Mars-crossing Asteroids » 12198 (1980 PJ1)

Key Facts

Overview

12198 (1980 PJ1) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 1980 PJ1 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1980 PJ1 orbits the sun every 1,150 days (3.15 years), coming as close as 1.63 AU and reaching as far as 2.66 AU from the sun. 1980 PJ1 is about 2.8 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to Mount Everest.

The rotation of 1980 PJ1 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 5.49 hours.

No Close Approaches

1980 PJ1's orbit is 0.64 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

1980 PJ1's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 6, 1980. It was last officially observed on June 19, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 2,243 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 1980 PJ1:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.143 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.241
  • Inclination: 4.55°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 278.59°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 130.45°
  • Mean Anomaly: 215.09°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 2.84200 km
  • Magnitude: 14.86
  • Albedo: 0.346

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,150 days (3.15 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 20.27 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.66 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.63 AU
  • Rotation Period: 5.49 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

⧉

Sky Map

The position of 12198 (1980 PJ1) 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 1980 PJ1 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.