Key Facts
- Categorized as a Apollo-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge
- Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
- Classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)
- See orbit simulation
Overview
2020 QF6 is a small asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2020 QF6 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.
2020 QF6 orbits the sun every 1,640 days (4.49 years), coming as close as 0.95 AU and reaching as far as 4.50 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2020 QF6 is probably between 0.732 to 1.637 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.
No Close Approaches
2020 QF6's orbit is 0.03 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
2020 QF6's orbit is determined by observations dating back to June 7, 2015. It was last officially observed on Feb. 7, 2021. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 72 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 2020 QF6:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.725 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.652
- Inclination: 73.64°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 249.0°
- Argument of Periapsis: 145.38°
- Mean Anomaly: 245.27°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~0.945 km
- Magnitude: 17.8
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,640 days (4.49 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.08 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 4.50 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 0.95 AU
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 2020 QF6 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 2020 QF6 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.
