Key Facts
- Categorized as a Interior-Earth Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge
- Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
- Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
- See orbit simulation
Overview
2021 BS1 is a small asteroid with an orbit that is entirely confined within Earth's orbit. NASA JPL has classified 2021 BS1 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.
2021 BS1 orbits the sun every 169 days (0.46 years), coming as close as 0.40 AU and reaching as far as 0.80 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2021 BS1 is probably between 0.509 to 1.138 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
2021 BS1's orbit is 0.23 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
2021 BS1's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Jan. 16, 2021. It was last officially observed on May 25, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 40 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 2021 BS1:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 0.5984 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.3377
- Inclination: 31.73°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 27.68°
- Argument of Periapsis: 332.66°
- Mean Anomaly: 24.08°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~0.657 km
- Magnitude: 18.59
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 169 days (0.46 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 38.52 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 0.80 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 0.40 AU
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 2021 BS1 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 2021 BS1 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.
