1994 NE

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Apollo-class Asteroid
• Comparable in size to the U.S. Capitol building
• Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
• Classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)
• See orbit simulation

Overview

1994 NE is a very small asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 1994 NE as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.

1994 NE orbits the sun every 1,070 days (2.93 years), coming as close as 0.81 AU and reaching as far as 3.29 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1994 NE is probably between 0.291 to 0.652 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 90% of asteroids but tiny compared to large asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Capitol building.

No Close Approaches

1994 NE's orbit is 0.02 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.

Orbital simulations conducted by NASA JPL's CNEOS do not show any close approaches to Earth.

Images and Observations

1994 NE's orbit is determined by observations dating back to June 12, 1994. It was last officially observed on July 8, 1994. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 49 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 1994 NE:

• 5402 Kejosmith (1989 UK2)
• 8567 (1996 HW1)
• 54420 (2000 LT20)

References

• JPL Small Body Database
• Mission Design
• Sky Finder Chart

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 1994 NE 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 below comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 1994 NE to create an approximate landscape rendering with New York City in the background. This approximation is built for full-resolution desktop browsers. Shape, color, and texture of asteroid are imagined.