Key Facts
- Categorized as a Aten-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge
- Will pass within 7,445,539 km of Earth in 2019
- Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
- Classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)
- See orbit simulation
Overview
2006 QQ23 is a small asteroid whose orbit could bring it in close proximity to Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2006 QQ23 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.
2006 QQ23 orbits the sun every 263 days (0.72 years), coming as close as 0.58 AU and reaching as far as 1.03 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2006 QQ23 is probably between 0.194 to 0.869 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than ~97% of asteroids but small compared to large asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Close Approaches
2006 QQ23's orbit is 0.03 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.
2006 QQ23 has 26 close approaches predicted in the coming decades:
| Date | Distance from Earth (km) | Velocity (km/s) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 10, 2019 | 7,445,539 | 4.670 |
| July 6, 2024 | 27,042,054 | 10.656 |
| Aug. 31, 2032 | 16,524,901 | 8.781 |
| July 14, 2037 | 8,802,094 | 5.277 |
| Aug. 29, 2050 | 5,372,258 | 5.912 |
| July 7, 2055 | 13,329,117 | 7.158 |
| Aug. 24, 2068 | 4,969,601 | 5.216 |
| July 6, 2073 | 19,036,847 | 8.698 |
| Aug. 30, 2081 | 27,745,297 | 11.231 |
| Aug. 14, 2086 | 6,700,707 | 4.740 |
| July 7, 2091 | 25,984,854 | 10.345 |
| Sept. 1, 2099 | 17,021,210 | 8.872 |
| July 17, 2104 | 8,717,574 | 5.150 |
| Aug. 29, 2117 | 4,703,548 | 5.705 |
| July 8, 2122 | 16,607,480 | 8.041 |
| Aug. 31, 2130 | 29,437,064 | 11.598 |
| Aug. 16, 2135 | 6,424,921 | 4.754 |
| July 8, 2140 | 27,287,000 | 10.631 |
| Sept. 1, 2148 | 12,804,432 | 7.944 |
| July 12, 2153 | 10,004,285 | 5.893 |
| Aug. 19, 2166 | 5,788,092 | 4.848 |
| July 9, 2171 | 28,997,995 | 11.023 |
| Sept. 1, 2179 | 7,537,250 | 6.715 |
| July 8, 2184 | 14,434,398 | 7.412 |
| Aug. 31, 2192 | 26,433,254 | 10.952 |
| Aug. 2, 2197 | 7,817,455 | 4.709 |
Images and Observations
2006 QQ23's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 21, 2006. It was last officially observed on Aug. 15, 2019. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 94 observations used to determine its orbit.
Accessibility and Exploration
2006 QQ23 can be reached with a journey of 362 days. This trajectory would require a delta-v of 10.49 km/s. To put this into perspective, the delta-v to launch a rocket to Low-Earth Orbit is 9.7 km/s. There are 3,751 potential trajectories and launch windows to this asteroid.
See more at the NHATS Mission Trajectories table for 2006 QQ23.
Similar Objects
These objects have orbits that share similar characteristics to the orbit of 2006 QQ23:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 0.8038 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.2843
- Inclination: 3.45°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 4.17°
- Argument of Periapsis: 125.4°
- Mean Anomaly: 76.47°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~0.532 km
- Magnitude: 19.76
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 263 days (0.72 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 33.25 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 1.03 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 0.58 AU
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 2006 QQ23 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 2006 QQ23 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.
