Key Facts

Overview

20738 (1999 XG191) is a large asteroid that shares Jupiter's orbit around the sun. NASA JPL has not classified 1999 XG191 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1999 XG191 orbits the sun every 4,290 days (11.75 years), coming as close as 5.10 AU and reaching as far as 5.23 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1999 XG191 is probably between 11.873 to 26.548 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the city of Baltimore.

No Close Approaches

1999 XG191's orbit is 4.11 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

1999 XG191's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 30, 1986. It was last officially observed on March 13, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,690 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 1999 XG191:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 5.165 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0123
  • Inclination: 12.52°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 33.22°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 333.96°
  • Mean Anomaly: 87.8°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~15.328 km
  • Magnitude: 11.75

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 4,290 days (11.75 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 13.10 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 5.23 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 5.10 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 20738 (1999 XG191) 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.