Key Facts

Overview

15874 (1996 TL66) is a very large asteroid whose orbit extends beyond the orbit of Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 1996 TL66 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1996 TL66 orbits the sun every 285,000 days (780.29 years), coming as close as 35.02 AU and reaching as far as 134.40 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1996 TL66 is probably between 217.048 to 485.333 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. state of West Virginia.

The rotation of 1996 TL66 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 12.00 hours.

No Close Approaches

1996 TL66's orbit is 34.00 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

1996 TL66's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 9, 1996. It was last officially observed on Jan. 20, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 512 observations used to determine its orbit.

Accessibility and Exploration

This asteroid is not considered a viable target for human exploration by the NHATS study.

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 84.71 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.5866
  • Inclination: 23.94°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 217.65°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 184.77°
  • Mean Anomaly: 10.24°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~280.207 km
  • Magnitude: 5.44

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 285,000 days (780.29 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 3.23 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 134.40 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 35.02 AU
  • Rotation Period: 12.00 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 15874 (1996 TL66) 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.