Key Facts

Overview

Fourcroy is a large asteroid that orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the outer reaches of the main asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Fourcroy as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Fourcroy orbits the sun every 2,090 days (5.72 years), coming as close as 2.88 AU and reaching as far as 3.53 AU from the sun. Fourcroy is about 13.0 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Cleveland, Ohio.

No Close Approaches

Fourcroy's orbit is 1.90 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

Fourcroy's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Dec. 18, 1976. It was last officially observed on March 18, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,766 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 Fourcroy:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.202 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1017
  • Inclination: 6.98°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 216.2°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 227.31°
  • Mean Anomaly: 53.08°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 13.01900 km
  • Magnitude: 13.76
  • Albedo: 0.036

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,090 days (5.72 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 16.67 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.53 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.88 AU

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Fourcroy 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.