Key Facts

Overview

31345 (1998 PG) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified 1998 PG 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.

1998 PG orbits the sun every 1,050 days (2.87 years), coming as close as 1.23 AU and reaching as far as 2.81 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1998 PG is probably between 0.795 to 1.778 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge.

The rotation of 1998 PG has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 2.52 hours.

1998 PG's spectral type None (Tholen) / Sq (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain and .

No Close Approaches

1998 PG's orbit is 0.23 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

1998 PG's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 7, 1978. It was last officially observed on June 8, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,551 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 PG:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.016 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.3914
  • Inclination: 6.5°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 222.69°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 156.21°
  • Mean Anomaly: 253.07°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~1.027 km
  • Magnitude: 17.62
  • Spectral type (SMASS): Sq

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,050 days (2.87 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 20.89 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.81 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.23 AU
  • Rotation Period: 2.52 hours
  • Approx. Composition: and .

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 31345 (1998 PG) 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 PG 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.