Key Facts

Overview

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

McMath orbits the sun every 1,760 days (4.82 years), coming as close as 2.68 AU and reaching as far as 3.03 AU from the sun. McMath is about 9.8 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

The rotation of McMath has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 5.57 hours.

No Close Approaches

McMath's orbit is 1.69 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

McMath's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Dec. 14, 1949. It was last officially observed on June 8, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,941 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 McMath:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.856 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0611
  • Inclination: 1.0°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 257.89°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 156.32°
  • Mean Anomaly: 119.56°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 9.75900 km
  • Magnitude: 12.18
  • Albedo: 0.322

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,760 days (4.82 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.65 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.03 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.68 AU
  • Rotation Period: 5.57 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of McMath 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.