Key Facts

Overview

18820 (1999 NS9) is a mid-sized asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 1999 NS9 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1999 NS9 orbits the sun every 1,710 days (4.68 years), coming as close as 2.52 AU and reaching as far as 3.07 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1999 NS9 is probably between 5.869 to 13.123 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

The rotation of 1999 NS9 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 13.14 hours.

No Close Approaches

1999 NS9's orbit is 1.53 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 NS9's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Feb. 26, 1993. It was last officially observed on Nov. 21, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,960 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 NS9:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.797 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.099
  • Inclination: 9.64°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 144.79°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 94.62°
  • Mean Anomaly: 124.2°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~7.577 km
  • Magnitude: 13.28

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,710 days (4.68 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.79 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.07 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.52 AU
  • Rotation Period: 13.14 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 18820 (1999 NS9) 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.