Key Facts
- Categorized as a Main-belt Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Connecticut (144.63 km diameter)
- Not a Near Earth Object
- Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
- See orbit simulation
Overview
Philomela is a large asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Philomela as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.
Philomela orbits the sun every 2,010 days (5.50 years), coming as close as 3.07 AU and reaching as far as 3.16 AU from the sun. Philomela is about 144.6 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Connecticut.
The rotation of Philomela has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 8.33 hours.
Philomela's spectral type S (Tholen) / S (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain and .
No Close Approaches
Philomela's orbit is 2.05 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
Philomela's orbit is determined by observations dating back to May 15, 1879. It was last officially observed on May 12, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 10,858 observations used to determine its orbit.
Scientists have been able to determine this object's shape:
View asteroid Philomela in 3D.
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 Philomela:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 3.113 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.0147
- Inclination: 7.26°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 72.3°
- Argument of Periapsis: 203.6°
- Mean Anomaly: 14.84°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: 144.62600 km
- Magnitude: 6.74
- Albedo: 0.342
- Spectral type (Tholen): S
- Spectral type (SMASS): S
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 2,010 days (5.50 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 16.85 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 3.16 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 3.07 AU
- Rotation Period: 8.33 hours
- Approx. Composition: and .
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of Philomela 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.