2013 VZ70

Mid-sized Centaur-class Asteroid

Space Reference » Centaur-class Asteroids » 2013 VZ70

Key Facts

Overview

2013 VZ70 is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit between Jupiter and Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 2013 VZ70 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2013 VZ70 orbits the sun every 10,100 days (27.65 years), coming as close as 8.28 AU and reaching as far as 10.04 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2013 VZ70 is probably between 4.748 to 10.618 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

No Close Approaches

2013 VZ70's orbit is 7.31 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 VZ70's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 9, 2013. It was last officially observed on Feb. 3, 2020. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 43 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 VZ70:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 9.157 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0961
  • Inclination: 12.06°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 215.12°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 245.45°
  • Mean Anomaly: 62.55°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~6.130 km
  • Magnitude: 13.74

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 10,100 days (27.65 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 9.86 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 10.04 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 8.28 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 2013 VZ70 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 above comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 2013 VZ70 to create an approximate landscape rendering with Mount Everest in the background. This approximation is built for full-resolution desktop browsers. Shape, color, and texture of asteroid are imagined.