Key Facts

Overview

Thetis is a large asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Thetis as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Thetis orbits the sun every 1,420 days (3.89 years), coming as close as 2.14 AU and reaching as far as 2.80 AU from the sun. Thetis is about 84.9 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Delaware.

The rotation of Thetis has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 12.27 hours.

Thetis's spectral type S (Tholen) / Sl (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain and .

No Close Approaches

Thetis's orbit is 1.13 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

Thetis's orbit is determined by observations dating back to April 17, 1852. It was last officially observed on July 2, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 10,707 observations used to determine its orbit.

Scientists have been able to determine this object's shape:

View asteroid Thetis in 3D.

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 Thetis:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.471 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1325
  • Inclination: 5.59°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 125.53°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 135.72°
  • Mean Anomaly: 349.88°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 84.89900 km
  • Magnitude: 7.94
  • Albedo: 0.193
  • Spectral type (Tholen): S
  • Spectral type (SMASS): Sl

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,420 days (3.89 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.93 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.80 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.14 AU
  • Rotation Period: 12.27 hours
  • Approx. Composition: and .

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Thetis 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.