1996 JA1

Very small Apollo-class Asteroid

Near-Earth Potentially Hazardous
Space Reference » Apollo-class Asteroids » 1996 JA1

Key Facts

Overview

1996 JA1 is a very small asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 1996 JA1 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.

1996 JA1 orbits the sun every 1,500 days (4.11 years), coming as close as 0.77 AU and reaching as far as 4.37 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1996 JA1 is probably between 0.168 to 0.375 kilometers in diameter, making it a small to average asteroid, very roughly comparable in size to a football field.

The rotation of 1996 JA1 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 5.23 hours.

No Close Approaches

1996 JA1'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

1996 JA1's orbit is determined by observations dating back to May 14, 1996. It was last officially observed on May 19, 1996. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 328 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 1996 JA1:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.568 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.7004
  • Inclination: 21.6°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 55.8°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 248.55°
  • Mean Anomaly: 223.35°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~0.217 km
  • Magnitude: 21.0

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,500 days (4.11 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.62 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 4.37 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.77 AU
  • Rotation Period: 5.23 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 1996 JA1 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 1996 JA1 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.