2001 WH1

Very small Apollo-class Asteroid

Near-Earth Potentially Hazardous
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Key Facts

Overview

2001 WH1 is a very small asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2001 WH1 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.

2001 WH1 orbits the sun every 1,410 days (3.86 years), coming as close as 0.49 AU and reaching as far as 4.43 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2001 WH1 is probably between 0.221 to 0.494 kilometers in diameter, making it a small to average asteroid, very roughly comparable in size to a football field.

The rotation of 2001 WH1 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 8.00 hours.

No Close Approaches

2001 WH1's orbit is 0.04 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

2001 WH1's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Nov. 17, 2001. It was last officially observed on Dec. 11, 2001. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 103 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 2001 WH1:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2452245.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.461 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.8
  • Inclination: 15.57°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 68.43°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 107.2°
  • Mean Anomaly: 346.03°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~0.285 km
  • Magnitude: 20.4

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,410 days (3.86 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.99 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 4.43 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.49 AU
  • Rotation Period: 8.00 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 2001 WH1 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 2001 WH1 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.