Key Facts

  • Categorized as a Main-belt Asteroid
  • Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island (43.58 km diameter)
  • Not a Near Earth Object
  • Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
  • See orbit simulation

Overview

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

Wells orbits the sun every 2,040 days (5.59 years), coming as close as 2.99 AU and reaching as far as 3.30 AU from the sun. Wells is about 43.6 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The rotation of Wells has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 11.85 hours.

No Close Approaches

Wells's orbit is 2.02 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

Wells's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Feb. 9, 1905. It was last officially observed on July 5, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 4,153 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 Wells:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.148 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0498
  • Inclination: 16.12°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 317.08°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 137.96°
  • Mean Anomaly: 129.57°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 43.57600 km
  • Magnitude: 10.94
  • Albedo: 0.045

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,040 days (5.59 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 16.79 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.30 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.99 AU
  • Rotation Period: 11.85 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Wells 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.