Key Facts

Overview

Imelda is a mid-sized asteroid that orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the outer reaches of the main asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Imelda as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Imelda orbits the sun every 2,880 days (7.89 years), coming as close as 3.06 AU and reaching as far as 4.87 AU from the sun. Imelda is about 7.7 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

No Close Approaches

Imelda's orbit is 2.08 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

Imelda's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 24, 1960. It was last officially observed on June 23, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 818 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 Imelda:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.965 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2277
  • Inclination: 6.61°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 16.31°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 41.32°
  • Mean Anomaly: 302.88°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 7.69600 km
  • Magnitude: 14.17
  • Albedo: 0.068

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,880 days (7.89 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 14.98 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 4.87 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 3.06 AU

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Imelda 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.