Key Facts
- Categorized as a Main-belt Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the U.S. Capitol building
- Not a Near Earth Object
- Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
- See orbit simulation
Overview
2022 QC159 is a very small asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 2022 QC159 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.
2022 QC159 orbits the sun every 1,330 days (3.64 years), coming as close as 1.86 AU and reaching as far as 2.88 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2022 QC159 is probably between 0.360 to 0.805 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 90% of asteroids but tiny compared to large asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Capitol building.
No Close Approaches
2022 QC159's orbit is 0.85 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
2022 QC159's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 19, 2022. It was last officially observed on Oct. 1, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 25 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 2022 QC159:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.371 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.2158
- Inclination: 12.92°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 164.58°
- Argument of Periapsis: 162.6°
- Mean Anomaly: 112.81°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~0.465 km
- Magnitude: 19.34
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,330 days (3.64 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.39 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 2.88 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 1.86 AU
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 2022 QC159 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 below comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 2022 QC159 to create an approximate landscape rendering with New York City in the background. This approximation is built for full-resolution desktop browsers. Shape, color, and texture of asteroid are imagined.
