131774 (2002 AZ18)

Mid-sized Mars-crossing Asteroid

Space Reference » Mars-crossing Asteroids » 131774 (2002 AZ18)

Key Facts

Overview

131774 (2002 AZ18) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 2002 AZ18 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2002 AZ18 orbits the sun every 1,290 days (3.53 years), coming as close as 1.59 AU and reaching as far as 3.04 AU from the sun. 2002 AZ18 is about 2.7 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to Mount Everest.

The rotation of 2002 AZ18 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 187.27 hours.

No Close Approaches

2002 AZ18's orbit is 0.72 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

2002 AZ18's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 25, 1990. It was last officially observed on April 25, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 2,186 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 2002 AZ18:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.316 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.3129
  • Inclination: 23.2°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 119.37°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 293.76°
  • Mean Anomaly: 103.22°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 2.70800 km
  • Magnitude: 15.32
  • Albedo: 0.251

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,290 days (3.53 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.53 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.04 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.59 AU
  • Rotation Period: 187.27 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

⧉

Sky Map

The position of 131774 (2002 AZ18) 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 2002 AZ18 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.