Key Facts
- Categorized as a Aten-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge (0.79 km diameter)
- Will pass within 5,427,712 km of Earth in 2021
- Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
- Classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)
- See orbit simulation
Overview
163899 (2003 SD220) is a small asteroid whose orbit could bring it in close proximity to Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2003 SD220 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.
2003 SD220 orbits the sun every 275 days (0.75 years), coming as close as 0.65 AU and reaching as far as 1.00 AU from the sun. 2003 SD220 is about 0.8 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than ~97% of asteroids but small compared to large asteroids, comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge.
The rotation of 2003 SD220 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 285.00 hours.
Close Approaches
2003 SD220's orbit is 0.02 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.
2003 SD220 has 22 close approaches predicted in the coming decades:
| Date | Distance from Earth (km) | Velocity (km/s) |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 17, 2021 | 5,427,712 | 5.611 |
| Dec. 2, 2024 | 13,215,528 | 5.481 |
| Nov. 12, 2027 | 20,672,964 | 6.552 |
| Dec. 23, 2064 | 18,700,244 | 9.313 |
| Dec. 24, 2067 | 7,252,241 | 7.160 |
| Dec. 20, 2070 | 2,717,269 | 6.043 |
| Dec. 12, 2073 | 8,757,572 | 5.425 |
| Nov. 23, 2076 | 16,599,121 | 5.817 |
| Nov. 8, 2079 | 24,525,373 | 7.574 |
| Dec. 24, 2113 | 24,832,708 | 10.498 |
| Dec. 24, 2116 | 11,673,308 | 7.945 |
| Dec. 23, 2119 | 2,734,880 | 6.283 |
| Dec. 19, 2122 | 4,604,232 | 5.708 |
| Dec. 8, 2125 | 11,373,977 | 5.461 |
| Nov. 19, 2128 | 18,701,904 | 6.203 |
| Nov. 8, 2131 | 26,795,028 | 8.180 |
| Dec. 24, 2168 | 20,213,385 | 9.553 |
| Dec. 25, 2171 | 8,748,198 | 7.392 |
| Dec. 21, 2174 | 2,404,767 | 6.116 |
| Dec. 14, 2177 | 7,663,906 | 5.514 |
| Nov. 28, 2180 | 15,581,674 | 5.794 |
| Nov. 12, 2183 | 23,921,155 | 7.432 |
Images and Observations
2003 SD220's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Jan. 6, 2000. It was last officially observed on Sept. 27, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,497 observations used to determine its orbit.
Accessibility and Exploration
2003 SD220 can be reached with a journey of 178 days. This trajectory would require a delta-v of 9.851 km/s. To put this into perspective, the delta-v to launch a rocket to Low-Earth Orbit is 9.7 km/s. There are 2,535 potential trajectories and launch windows to this asteroid.
See more at the NHATS Mission Trajectories table for 2003 SD220.
Similar Objects
These objects have orbits that share similar characteristics to the orbit of 2003 SD220:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 0.8276 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.2099
- Inclination: 8.54°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 273.74°
- Argument of Periapsis: 326.95°
- Mean Anomaly: 324.84°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: 0.79100 km
- Magnitude: 17.63
- Albedo: 0.340
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 275 days (0.75 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 32.74 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 1.00 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 0.65 AU
- Rotation Period: 285.00 hours
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 163899 (2003 SD220) 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 2003 SD220 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.
