37336 (2001 RM)

Mid-sized Amor-class Asteroid

Near-Earth
Space Reference » Amor-class Asteroids » 37336 (2001 RM)

Key Facts

Overview

37336 (2001 RM) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified 2001 RM 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.

2001 RM orbits the sun every 1,240 days (3.39 years), coming as close as 1.16 AU and reaching as far as 3.34 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2001 RM is probably between 1.847 to 4.131 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.

2001 RM's spectral type None (Tholen) / S (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain and .

No Close Approaches

2001 RM's orbit is 0.35 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

2001 RM's orbit is determined by observations dating back to July 13, 1977. It was last officially observed on Feb. 20, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,380 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 2001 RM:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.253 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.4833
  • Inclination: 36.67°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 223.64°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 118.03°
  • Mean Anomaly: 193.03°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~2.385 km
  • Magnitude: 15.79
  • Spectral type (SMASS): S

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,240 days (3.39 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.77 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.34 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.16 AU
  • Approx. Composition: and .

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 37336 (2001 RM) 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 2001 RM 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.