Key Facts

Overview

Hypatia is a large asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Hypatia as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Hypatia orbits the sun every 1,810 days (4.96 years), coming as close as 2.64 AU and reaching as far as 3.17 AU from the sun. Hypatia is about 155.7 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Vermont.

The rotation of Hypatia has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 8.87 hours.

Hypatia's spectral type C (Tholen) / Ch (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain water, iron, nickel, cobalt, nitrogen, and ammonia.

No Close Approaches

Hypatia's orbit is 1.65 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

Hypatia's orbit is determined by observations dating back to March 18, 1892. It was last officially observed on July 4, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 4,091 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 Hypatia:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.906 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0911
  • Inclination: 12.41°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 183.87°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 210.44°
  • Mean Anomaly: 327.56°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 155.65900 km
  • Magnitude: 8.1
  • Albedo: 0.039
  • Spectral type (Tholen): C
  • Spectral type (SMASS): Ch

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,810 days (4.96 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.47 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.17 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.64 AU
  • Rotation Period: 8.87 hours
  • Approx. Composition: water, iron, nickel, cobalt, nitrogen, and ammonia.

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Hypatia 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.