143637 (2003 LP6)

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Apollo-class Asteroid
• Comparable in size to Mount Everest
• Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

143637 (2003 LP6) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2003 LP6 as a "Near Earth Asteroid" due to its orbit's proximity to Earth, but it is not considered potentially hazardous because computer simulations have not indicated any imminent likelihood of future collision.

2003 LP6 orbits the sun every 843 days (2.31 years), coming as close as 0.20 AU and reaching as far as 3.29 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2003 LP6 is probably between 1.284 to 2.871 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.

No Close Approaches

2003 LP6's orbit is 0.34 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a 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 LP6's orbit is determined by observations dating back to June 12, 2003. It was last officially observed on June 9, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,459 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 LP6:

• 2629 Rudra (1980 RB1)
• 8014 (1990 MF)
• 11284 Belenus (1990 BA)

References

• JPL Small Body Database
• Mission Design
• Sky Finder Chart

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 143637 (2003 LP6) 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 2003 LP6 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.