Key Facts

Overview

2021 YP is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit between Jupiter and Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 2021 YP as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2021 YP orbits the sun every 5,560 days (15.22 years), coming as close as 1.92 AU and reaching as far as 10.37 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2021 YP is probably between 0.814 to 1.820 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge.

No Close Approaches

2021 YP's orbit is 0.93 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a very 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 YP's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Nov. 1, 2021. It was last officially observed on Sept. 22, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 52 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 YP:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 6.145 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.6868
  • Inclination: 170.2°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 175.23°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 156.91°
  • Mean Anomaly: 33.32°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~1.051 km
  • Magnitude: 17.57

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 5,560 days (15.22 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 12.02 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 10.37 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.92 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 2021 YP 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 YP 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.