Key Facts

Overview

136204 (2003 WL7) is a large asteroid with an orbit between Jupiter and Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 2003 WL7 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2003 WL7 orbits the sun every 33,000 days (90.35 years), coming as close as 14.92 AU and reaching as far as 25.32 AU from the sun. 2003 WL7 is about 118.0 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Delaware.

The rotation of 2003 WL7 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 8.24 hours.

No Close Approaches

2003 WL7's orbit is 14.00 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

2003 WL7's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 11, 2001. It was last officially observed on March 26, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 230 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 2003 WL7:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 20.12 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2584
  • Inclination: 11.18°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 4.62°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 70.33°
  • Mean Anomaly: 49.63°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 118.00000 km
  • Magnitude: 8.71
  • Albedo: 0.046

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 33,000 days (90.35 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 6.63 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 25.32 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 14.92 AU
  • Rotation Period: 8.24 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 136204 (2003 WL7) 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.