Key Facts

Overview

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

Rigaux orbits the sun every 1,940 days (5.31 years), coming as close as 2.15 AU and reaching as far as 3.94 AU from the sun. Rigaux is about 18.3 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Philadelphia.

The rotation of Rigaux has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 2.33 hours.

No Close Approaches

Rigaux's orbit is 1.17 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

Rigaux's orbit is determined by observations dating back to March 26, 1933. It was last officially observed on June 30, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,050 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 Rigaux:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.047 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2938
  • Inclination: 14.79°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 44.04°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 144.53°
  • Mean Anomaly: 6.45°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 18.34100 km
  • Magnitude: 12.51
  • Albedo: 0.076

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,940 days (5.31 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.09 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.94 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.15 AU
  • Rotation Period: 2.33 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Rigaux 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.