Key Facts

Overview

2013 UA17 is a large asteroid whose orbit extends beyond the orbit of Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 2013 UA17 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2013 UA17 orbits the sun every 91,800 days (251.33 years), coming as close as 33.63 AU and reaching as far as 46.01 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2013 UA17 is probably between 44.112 to 98.637 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

No Close Approaches

2013 UA17's orbit is 32.60 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

2013 UA17's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 11, 2013. It was last officially observed on Dec. 7, 2015. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 32 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 2013 UA17:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 39.82 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1554
  • Inclination: 1.97°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 30.29°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 305.84°
  • Mean Anomaly: 42.47°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~56.948 km
  • Magnitude: 8.9

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 91,800 days (251.33 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 4.72 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 46.01 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 33.63 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 2013 UA17 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.