Key Facts
- Categorized as a Amor-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon
- Will pass within 13,101,336 km of Earth in 2119
- Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
- Classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)
- See orbit simulation
Overview
285263 (1998 QE2) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified 1998 QE2 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.
1998 QE2 orbits the sun every 1,380 days (3.78 years), coming as close as 1.03 AU and reaching as far as 3.81 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1998 QE2 is probably between 0.930 to 2.080 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon.
The rotation of 1998 QE2 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 4.75 hours.
Close Approaches
1998 QE2's orbit is 0.03 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.
1998 QE2 has 2 close approaches predicted in the coming decades:
| Date | Distance from Earth (km) | Velocity (km/s) |
|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2119 | 13,101,336 | 10.600 |
| May 23, 2172 | 10,647,389 | 9.995 |
Images and Observations
1998 QE2's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 19, 1998. It was last officially observed on Nov. 1, 2021. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,906 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 1998 QE2:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.421 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.5726
- Inclination: 12.88°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 250.07°
- Argument of Periapsis: 345.68°
- Mean Anomaly: 264.63°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~1.201 km
- Magnitude: 17.28
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,380 days (3.78 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.09 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 3.81 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 1.03 AU
- Rotation Period: 4.75 hours
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 285263 (1998 QE2) 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 1998 QE2 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.
