Key Facts
- Categorized as a Apollo-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge
- Will pass within 24,100,307 km of Earth in 2039
- Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
- Classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)
- See orbit simulation
Overview
2017 MB1 is a small asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2017 MB1 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.
2017 MB1 orbits the sun every 1,340 days (3.67 years), coming as close as 0.59 AU and reaching as far as 4.16 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2017 MB1 is probably between 0.458 to 1.023 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.
The rotation of 2017 MB1 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 6.69 hours.
Close Approaches
2017 MB1's orbit is 0.01 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.
2017 MB1 has 5 close approaches predicted in the coming decades:
| Date | Distance from Earth (km) | Velocity (km/s) |
|---|---|---|
| July 18, 2039 | 24,100,307 | 26.724 |
| July 31, 2050 | 9,644,964 | 20.187 |
| July 30, 2061 | 10,036,773 | 20.372 |
| July 25, 2072 | 480,092 | 22.404 |
| Jan. 21, 2113 | 1,728,999 | 22.707 |
Images and Observations
2017 MB1's orbit is determined by observations dating back to July 29, 2006. It was last officially observed on Feb. 12, 2018. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 470 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 MB1:References
Search
or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.374 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.7523
- Inclination: 8.5°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 126.83°
- Argument of Periapsis: 264.75°
- Mean Anomaly: 232.44°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~0.591 km
- Magnitude: 18.82
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,340 days (3.67 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.27 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 4.16 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 0.59 AU
- Rotation Period: 6.69 hours
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 2017 MB1 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 2017 MB1 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.
