Pierretta

312 Pierretta (A891 QA)

Space Reference » Main-belt Asteroids » Pierretta

Key Facts

  • Categorized as a Main-belt Asteroid
  • Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island (46.19 km diameter)
  • Not a Near Earth Object
  • Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
  • See orbit simulation

Overview

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

Pierretta orbits the sun every 1,690 days (4.63 years), coming as close as 2.34 AU and reaching as far as 3.23 AU from the sun. Pierretta is about 46.2 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The rotation of Pierretta has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 10.28 hours.

Pierretta's spectral type S (Tholen) / Sk (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain and .

No Close Approaches

Pierretta's orbit is 1.34 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

Pierretta's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 29, 1891. It was last officially observed on May 7, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 7,659 observations used to determine its orbit.

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

View asteroid Pierretta 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 Pierretta:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.781 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1603
  • Inclination: 9.04°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 6.2°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 262.13°
  • Mean Anomaly: 235.29°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 46.19100 km
  • Magnitude: 9.02
  • Albedo: 0.230
  • Spectral type (Tholen): S
  • Spectral type (SMASS): Sk

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,690 days (4.63 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.90 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.23 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.34 AU
  • Rotation Period: 10.28 hours
  • Approx. Composition: and .

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of Pierretta 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.