155370 (1988 TX)

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Mars-crossing Asteroid
• Comparable in size to Mount Everest
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

155370 (1988 TX) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 1988 TX as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1988 TX orbits the sun every 1,190 days (3.26 years), coming as close as 1.50 AU and reaching as far as 2.88 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1988 TX is probably between 1.332 to 2.979 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.

No Close Approaches

1988 TX's orbit is 0.50 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

1988 TX's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 7, 1988. It was last officially observed on May 14, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 811 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 1988 TX:

• 8 Flora (A847 UA)
• 43 Ariadne (A857 GA)
• 228 Agathe (A882 QA)

References

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

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 155370 (1988 TX) 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 1988 TX 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.