Key Facts

Overview

15709 (1988 XH1) is a mid-sized asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 1988 XH1 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1988 XH1 orbits the sun every 1,600 days (4.38 years), coming as close as 2.17 AU and reaching as far as 3.18 AU from the sun. 1988 XH1 is about 8.2 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

The rotation of 1988 XH1 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 21.11 hours.

No Close Approaches

1988 XH1's orbit is 1.20 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is an extremely 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 XH1's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Dec. 2, 1988. It was last officially observed on Dec. 2, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 5,209 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 XH1:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.677 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1886
  • Inclination: 13.93°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 78.07°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 249.59°
  • Mean Anomaly: 62.77°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 8.20500 km
  • Magnitude: 13.28
  • Albedo: 0.200

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,600 days (4.38 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.20 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.18 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.17 AU
  • Rotation Period: 21.11 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 15709 (1988 XH1) 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.