Key Facts

  • Categorized as a Main-belt Asteroid
  • Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Connecticut (124.18 km diameter)
  • Not a Near Earth Object
  • Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
  • See orbit simulation

Overview

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

Desiderata orbits the sun every 1,530 days (4.19 years), coming as close as 1.78 AU and reaching as far as 3.41 AU from the sun. Desiderata is about 124.2 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Connecticut.

The rotation of Desiderata has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 10.75 hours.

Desiderata's spectral type C (Tholen) / None (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain water, iron, nickel, cobalt, nitrogen, and ammonia.

No Close Approaches

Desiderata's orbit is 0.83 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

Desiderata's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Nov. 20, 1892. It was last officially observed on April 15, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 4,151 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 Desiderata:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.595 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.314
  • Inclination: 18.35°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 47.99°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 237.47°
  • Mean Anomaly: 193.6°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 124.18100 km
  • Magnitude: 8.37
  • Albedo: 0.067
  • Spectral type (Tholen): C

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,530 days (4.19 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.45 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.41 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.78 AU
  • Rotation Period: 10.75 hours
  • Approx. Composition: water, iron, nickel, cobalt, nitrogen, and ammonia.

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Desiderata 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.