Key Facts
- Categorized as a Apollo-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to Mount Everest
- Will pass within 21,370,944 km of Earth in 2042
- Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
- Classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)
- See orbit simulation
Overview
192642 (1999 RD32) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 1999 RD32 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.
1999 RD32 orbits the sun every 1,570 days (4.30 years), coming as close as 0.61 AU and reaching as far as 4.68 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1999 RD32 is probably between 1.344 to 3.006 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.
The rotation of 1999 RD32 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 17.08 hours.
Close Approaches
1999 RD32's orbit is 0.05 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.
1999 RD32 has 3 close approaches predicted in the coming decades:
| Date | Distance from Earth (km) | Velocity (km/s) |
|---|---|---|
| March 11, 2042 | 21,370,944 | 19.649 |
| Sept. 4, 2046 | 16,031,906 | 25.813 |
| March 11, 2085 | 20,346,791 | 20.455 |
Images and Observations
1999 RD32's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Jan. 2, 1995. It was last officially observed on Nov. 24, 2021. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 591 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 RD32:References
Search
or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.642 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.7697
- Inclination: 6.8°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 309.93°
- Argument of Periapsis: 299.99°
- Mean Anomaly: 233.49°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~1.736 km
- Magnitude: 16.48
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,570 days (4.30 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.31 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 4.68 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 0.61 AU
- Rotation Period: 17.08 hours
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 192642 (1999 RD32) 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 1999 RD32 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.
