371336 (2006 KD1)

Mid-sized Apollo-class Asteroid

Near-Earth
Space Reference » Apollo-class Asteroids » 371336 (2006 KD1)

Key Facts

Overview

371336 (2006 KD1) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2006 KD1 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.

2006 KD1 orbits the sun every 1,430 days (3.92 years), coming as close as 0.53 AU and reaching as far as 4.43 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. 2006 KD1 is about 1.1 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon.

No Close Approaches

2006 KD1's orbit is 0.42 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

2006 KD1's orbit is determined by observations dating back to May 20, 2006. It was last officially observed on Oct. 29, 2017. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 307 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 2006 KD1:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.48 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.7848
  • Inclination: 30.78°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 168.93°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 338.25°
  • Mean Anomaly: 167.83°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 1.13700 km
  • Magnitude: 17.38
  • Albedo: 0.180

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,430 days (3.92 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.87 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 4.43 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.53 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 371336 (2006 KD1) 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 2006 KD1 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.