152627 (1997 DF)

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Mars-crossing Asteroid
• Comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

152627 (1997 DF) is a small asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 1997 DF as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1997 DF orbits the sun every 699 days (1.91 years), coming as close as 1.32 AU and reaching as far as 1.77 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1997 DF is probably between 0.626 to 1.400 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than ~97% of asteroids but small compared to large asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge.

No Close Approaches

1997 DF's orbit is 0.44 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

1997 DF's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Feb. 26, 1997. It was last officially observed on June 6, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 654 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 1997 DF:

• 3988 Huma (1986 LA)
• 5189 (1990 UQ)
• 12538 (1998 OH)

References

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

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 152627 (1997 DF) 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 1997 DF 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.