31180 (1997 YX3)

Mid-sized Mars-crossing Asteroid

Space Reference » Mars-crossing Asteroids » 31180 (1997 YX3)

Key Facts

Overview

31180 (1997 YX3) is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 1997 YX3 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1997 YX3 orbits the sun every 1,700 days (4.65 years), coming as close as 1.61 AU and reaching as far as 3.95 AU from the sun. 1997 YX3 is about 6.2 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

The rotation of 1997 YX3 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 15.60 hours.

No Close Approaches

1997 YX3's orbit is 0.85 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a very 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

1997 YX3's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Jan. 5, 1984. It was last officially observed on April 14, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,276 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 1997 YX3:

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.784 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.4204
  • Inclination: 27.97°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 298.4°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 86.43°
  • Mean Anomaly: 238.33°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 6.21800 km
  • Magnitude: 14.65
  • Albedo: 0.077

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,700 days (4.65 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.82 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.95 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.61 AU
  • Rotation Period: 15.60 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 31180 (1997 YX3) 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 1997 YX3 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.