Key Facts

  • Categorized as a Main-belt Asteroid
  • Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island (40.80 km diameter)
  • Not a Near Earth Object
  • Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
  • See orbit simulation

Overview

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

Kriemhild orbits the sun every 1,770 days (4.85 years), coming as close as 2.51 AU and reaching as far as 3.21 AU from the sun. Kriemhild is about 40.8 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The rotation of Kriemhild has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 4.55 hours.

Kriemhild's spectral type None (Tholen) / Xc (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain iron, nickel, cobalt, and platinum.

No Close Approaches

Kriemhild's orbit is 1.56 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

Kriemhild's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Jan. 9, 1885. It was last officially observed on July 1, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 10,999 observations used to determine its orbit.

Scientists have been able to determine this object's shape:

View asteroid Kriemhild in 3D.

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 Kriemhild:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.861 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1223
  • Inclination: 11.35°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 206.9°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 278.87°
  • Mean Anomaly: 161.12°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 40.80200 km
  • Magnitude: 9.57
  • Albedo: 0.222
  • Spectral type (SMASS): Xc

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,770 days (4.85 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.58 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.21 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.51 AU
  • Rotation Period: 4.55 hours
  • Approx. Composition: iron, nickel, cobalt, and platinum.

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Kriemhild 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.