152693 (1998 RM4)

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

152693 (1998 RM4) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 1998 RM4 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1998 RM4 orbits the sun every 902 days (2.47 years), coming as close as 1.65 AU and reaching as far as 2.00 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1998 RM4 is probably between 0.852 to 1.906 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge.

No Close Approaches

1998 RM4's orbit is 0.67 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a very 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

1998 RM4's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 14, 1998. It was last officially observed on May 25, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 462 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 1998 RM4:

• 3309 Brorfelde (1982 BH)
• 3757 Anagolay (1982 XB)
• 4055 Magellan (1985 DO2)

References

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

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 152693 (1998 RM4) 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 1998 RM4 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.