Key Facts

Overview

124729 (2001 SB173) is a mid-sized asteroid that shares Jupiter's orbit around the sun. NASA JPL has not classified 2001 SB173 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2001 SB173 orbits the sun every 4,300 days (11.77 years), coming as close as 4.66 AU and reaching as far as 5.70 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2001 SB173 is probably between 7.089 to 15.850 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

The rotation of 2001 SB173 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 5.33 hours.

No Close Approaches

2001 SB173's orbit is 3.66 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

2001 SB173's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Nov. 11, 1990. It was last officially observed on June 29, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 690 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 2001 SB173:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 5.178 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1002
  • Inclination: 8.08°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 180.48°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 201.16°
  • Mean Anomaly: 304.26°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~9.151 km
  • Magnitude: 12.87

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 4,300 days (11.77 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 13.10 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 5.70 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 4.66 AU
  • Rotation Period: 5.33 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 124729 (2001 SB173) 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.