Key Facts

  • Categorized as a Jupiter Trojan
  • Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island (40.95 km diameter)
  • Not a Near Earth Object
  • Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
  • See orbit simulation

Overview

17171 (1999 NB38) is a large asteroid that shares Jupiter's orbit around the sun. NASA JPL has not classified 1999 NB38 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1999 NB38 orbits the sun every 4,260 days (11.66 years), coming as close as 4.71 AU and reaching as far as 5.57 AU from the sun. 1999 NB38 is about 40.9 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The rotation of 1999 NB38 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 64.79 hours.

No Close Approaches

1999 NB38's orbit is 3.69 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

1999 NB38's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 11, 1953. It was last officially observed on July 1, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 2,294 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 1999 NB38:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 5.139 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.084
  • Inclination: 25.29°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 318.01°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 357.5°
  • Mean Anomaly: 21.5°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 40.94600 km
  • Magnitude: 10.67
  • Albedo: 0.080

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 4,260 days (11.66 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 13.12 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 5.57 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 4.71 AU
  • Rotation Period: 64.79 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 17171 (1999 NB38) 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.