2017 MH7

Very small Apollo-class Asteroid

Near-Earth Potentially Hazardous
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Key Facts

Overview

2017 MH7 is a very small asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2017 MH7 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.

2017 MH7 orbits the sun every 1,370 days (3.75 years), coming as close as 0.65 AU and reaching as far as 4.18 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2017 MH7 is probably between 0.133 to 0.298 kilometers in diameter, making it a small to average asteroid, very roughly comparable in size to a football field.

No Close Approaches

2017 MH7's orbit is 0.01 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

2017 MH7's orbit is determined by observations dating back to June 24, 2017. It was last officially observed on July 10, 2017. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 30 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 MH7:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2457932.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.417 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.7314
  • Inclination: 14.02°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 96.04°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 282.52°
  • Mean Anomaly: 343.34°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~0.172 km
  • Magnitude: 21.5

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,370 days (3.75 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.19 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 4.18 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.65 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 2017 MH7 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 MH7 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.