154589 (2003 MX2)

Mid-sized Amor-class Asteroid

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Space Reference » Amor-class Asteroids » 154589 (2003 MX2)

Key Facts

  • Categorized as a Amor-class Asteroid
  • Comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge (1.11 km diameter)
  • Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
  • Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
  • See orbit simulation

Overview

154589 (2003 MX2) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified 2003 MX2 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 MX2 orbits the sun every 1,270 days (3.48 years), coming as close as 1.24 AU and reaching as far as 3.34 AU from the sun. 2003 MX2 is about 1.1 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge.

The rotation of 2003 MX2 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 1.61 hours.

No Close Approaches

2003 MX2's orbit is 0.26 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 MX2's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Jan. 5, 2001. It was last officially observed on April 23, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 635 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 MX2:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.29 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.4588
  • Inclination: 7.18°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 58.65°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 300.61°
  • Mean Anomaly: 255.8°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 1.10900 km
  • Magnitude: 16.71
  • Albedo: 0.395

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,270 days (3.48 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.62 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.34 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.24 AU
  • Rotation Period: 1.61 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 154589 (2003 MX2) 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 MX2 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.