Key Facts
- Categorized as a Centaur-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to Mount Everest
- Not a Near Earth Object
- Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
- See orbit simulation
Overview
2021 PD is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit between Jupiter and Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 2021 PD as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.
2021 PD orbits the sun every 5,810 days (15.91 years), coming as close as 2.43 AU and reaching as far as 10.22 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2021 PD is probably between 1.395 to 3.119 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.
No Close Approaches
2021 PD's orbit is 1.46 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is an extremely 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 PD's orbit is determined by observations dating back to July 30, 2021. It was last officially observed on Oct. 1, 2021. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 56 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 PD:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 6.322 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.6159
- Inclination: 71.35°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 145.93°
- Argument of Periapsis: 202.52°
- Mean Anomaly: 41.54°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~1.801 km
- Magnitude: 16.4
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 5,810 days (15.91 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 11.84 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 10.22 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 2.43 AU
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 2021 PD 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 PD 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.
