159699 (2002 PQ142)

Key Facts

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

Overview

159699 (2002 PQ142) is a small asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2002 PQ142 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.

2002 PQ142 orbits the sun every 807 days (2.21 years), coming as close as 0.48 AU and reaching as far as 2.91 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2002 PQ142 is probably between 0.767 to 1.714 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.

No Close Approaches

2002 PQ142's orbit is 0.22 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

2002 PQ142's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 11, 2002. It was last officially observed on May 31, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 251 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 2002 PQ142:

• 5828 (1991 AM)
• 6611 (1993 VW)
• 8507 (1991 CB1)

References

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

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 159699 (2002 PQ142) 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 2002 PQ142 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.