26166 (1995 QN3)

Mid-sized Amor-class Asteroid

Near-Earth
Space Reference » Amor-class Asteroids » 26166 (1995 QN3)

Key Facts

Overview

26166 (1995 QN3) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified 1995 QN3 as a "Near Earth Asteroid" due to its orbit's proximity to Earth, but it is not considered potentially hazardous because computer simulations have not indicated any imminent likelihood of future collision.

1995 QN3 orbits the sun every 2,190 days (6.00 years), coming as close as 1.17 AU and reaching as far as 5.43 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1995 QN3 is probably between 1.150 to 2.571 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon.

No Close Approaches

1995 QN3's orbit is 0.27 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.

Images and Observations

1995 QN3's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 19, 1953. It was last officially observed on Oct. 29, 2019. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 385 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 1995 QN3:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.302 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.6442
  • Inclination: 14.78°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 185.7°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 62.87°
  • Mean Anomaly: 265.78°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~1.484 km
  • Magnitude: 16.82

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,190 days (6.00 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 16.40 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 5.43 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.17 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 26166 (1995 QN3) 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 above comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 1995 QN3 to create an approximate landscape rendering with Mount Everest in the background. This approximation is built for full-resolution desktop browsers. Shape, color, and texture of asteroid are imagined.