Key Facts
- Categorized as a Apollo-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to Mount Everest
- Will pass within 25,172,975 km of Earth in 2028
- Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
- Classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)
- See orbit simulation
Overview
143992 (2004 AF) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2004 AF as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.
2004 AF orbits the sun every 1,010 days (2.77 years), coming as close as 0.88 AU and reaching as far as 3.06 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2004 AF is probably between 1.551 to 3.468 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.
Close Approaches
2004 AF's orbit is 0.03 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.
2004 AF has 5 close approaches predicted in the coming decades:
| Date | Distance from Earth (km) | Velocity (km/s) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 20, 2028 | 25,172,975 | 16.548 |
| Aug. 16, 2064 | 16,220,828 | 17.342 |
| Aug. 20, 2100 | 23,864,465 | 16.600 |
| Aug. 2, 2161 | 22,757,879 | 21.954 |
| Aug. 4, 2197 | 16,224,101 | 21.033 |
Images and Observations
2004 AF's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Jan. 21, 1985. It was last officially observed on April 1, 2021. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 883 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 2004 AF:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 1.971 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.5541
- Inclination: 27.14°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 315.64°
- Argument of Periapsis: 57.95°
- Mean Anomaly: 62.9°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~2.002 km
- Magnitude: 16.17
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,010 days (2.77 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 21.23 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 3.06 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 0.88 AU
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 143992 (2004 AF) 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 2004 AF 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.
