Key Facts
- Categorized as a Apollo-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the U.S. Capitol building
- Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
- Classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)
- See orbit simulation
Overview
2023 OF6 is a very small asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2023 OF6 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.
2023 OF6 orbits the sun every 1,550 days (4.24 years), coming as close as 0.97 AU and reaching as far as 4.27 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2023 OF6 is probably between 0.364 to 0.813 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.
Close Approaches
2023 OF6's orbit is 0.02 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.
NASA Sentry has assessed impact risk for 2 very close approach scenarios. Here are the top scenarios ordered by probability of impact:
| Date | Probability of Impact (%) | Impact Energy (Mt) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 20, 2110 | 0.00000 | 3370.0 |
| Nov. 20, 2120 | 0.00000 | 3512.0 |
Images and Observations
2023 OF6's orbit is determined by observations dating back to July 26, 2023. It was last officially observed on Aug. 4, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 15 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 2023 OF6:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460151.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.62 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.6311
- Inclination: 9.51°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 237.81°
- Argument of Periapsis: 178.88°
- Mean Anomaly: 325.16°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~0.469 km
- Magnitude: 19.32
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,550 days (4.24 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.39 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 4.27 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 0.97 AU
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 2023 OF6 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 2023 OF6 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.
