Key Facts

Overview

Lucianotesi is a small asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified Lucianotesi 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.

Lucianotesi orbits the sun every 557 days (1.52 years), coming as close as 1.17 AU and reaching as far as 1.48 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, Lucianotesi is probably between 0.533 to 1.191 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.

The rotation of Lucianotesi has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 11.00 hours.

Lucianotesi's spectral type None (Tholen) / Xc (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain iron, nickel, cobalt, and platinum.

No Close Approaches

Lucianotesi's orbit is 0.25 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

Lucianotesi's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 29, 1994. It was last officially observed on July 28, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,660 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 Lucianotesi:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 1.324 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1181
  • Inclination: 13.87°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 162.48°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 94.25°
  • Mean Anomaly: 81.51°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~0.688 km
  • Magnitude: 18.49
  • Spectral type (SMASS): Xc

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 557 days (1.52 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 25.86 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 1.48 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.17 AU
  • Rotation Period: 11.00 hours
  • Approx. Composition: iron, nickel, cobalt, and platinum.

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Lucianotesi 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 Lucianotesi 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.