Key Facts

Overview

2017 BR93 is a very small asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified 2017 BR93 as a "Near Earth Asteroid" due to its orbit's proximity to Earth, but it is not considered potentially hazardous because computer simulations have not indicated any imminent likelihood of future collision.

2017 BR93 orbits the sun every 3,080 days (8.43 years), coming as close as 1.16 AU and reaching as far as 7.13 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2017 BR93 is probably between 0.305 to 0.682 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 90% of asteroids but tiny compared to large asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Capitol building.

No Close Approaches

2017 BR93's orbit is 0.22 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

2017 BR93's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Nov. 23, 2016. It was last officially observed on Feb. 6, 2017. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 36 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 2017 BR93:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 4.144 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.7211
  • Inclination: 15.4°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 97.25°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 319.29°
  • Mean Anomaly: 295.97°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~0.394 km
  • Magnitude: 19.7

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 3,080 days (8.43 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 14.64 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 7.13 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.16 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 2017 BR93 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 2017 BR93 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.