2016 XA2

Very small Apollo-class Asteroid

Near-Earth Potentially Hazardous
Space Reference » Apollo-class Asteroids » 2016 XA2

Key Facts

Overview

2016 XA2 is a very small asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2016 XA2 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.

2016 XA2 orbits the sun every 1,070 days (2.93 years), coming as close as 0.51 AU and reaching as far as 3.59 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2016 XA2 is probably between 0.126 to 0.282 kilometers in diameter, making it a small to average asteroid, very roughly comparable in size to a basketball court.

No Close Approaches

2016 XA2's orbit is 0.00 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that its orbit is relatively close to Earth's orbit.

Orbital simulations conducted by NASA JPL's CNEOS do not show any close approaches to Earth.

Images and Observations

2016 XA2's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Nov. 19, 2016. It was last officially observed on Dec. 22, 2016. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 92 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 2016 XA2:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.05 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.7515
  • Inclination: 7.02°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 262.74°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 276.67°
  • Mean Anomaly: 88.28°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~0.163 km
  • Magnitude: 21.62

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,070 days (2.93 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 20.84 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.59 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.51 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 2016 XA2 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 2016 XA2 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.