Key Facts
- Categorized as a Amor-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge
- Will pass within 3,321,973 km of Earth in 2036
- Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
- Classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)
- See orbit simulation
Overview
2017 RL is a small asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified 2017 RL as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.
2017 RL orbits the sun every 1,390 days (3.81 years), coming as close as 1.02 AU and reaching as far as 3.85 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2017 RL is probably between 0.502 to 1.122 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.
Close Approaches
2017 RL's orbit is 0.02 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 RL has 5 close approaches predicted in the coming decades:
| Date | Distance from Earth (km) | Velocity (km/s) |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 8, 2036 | 3,321,973 | 13.992 |
| Aug. 29, 2055 | 11,785,762 | 13.921 |
| Sept. 11, 2131 | 5,362,835 | 14.076 |
| Sept. 19, 2150 | 15,418,830 | 15.265 |
| Sept. 5, 2169 | 3,480,025 | 14.160 |
Images and Observations
2017 RL's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Nov. 26, 2013. It was last officially observed on Nov. 3, 2021. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 217 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 RL:References
Search
or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.439 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.5801
- Inclination: 19.54°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 344.81°
- Argument of Periapsis: 347.7°
- Mean Anomaly: 213.42°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~0.648 km
- Magnitude: 18.62
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,390 days (3.81 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.09 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 3.85 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 1.02 AU
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 2017 RL 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 RL 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.
