Key Facts

Overview

38292 (1999 RA77) is a large asteroid that orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the outer reaches of the main asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 1999 RA77 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1999 RA77 orbits the sun every 2,880 days (7.89 years), coming as close as 2.92 AU and reaching as far as 5.01 AU from the sun. 1999 RA77 is about 10.6 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Boston.

No Close Approaches

1999 RA77's orbit is 1.93 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

1999 RA77's orbit is determined by observations dating back to April 2, 1995. It was last officially observed on Nov. 24, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 938 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 1999 RA77:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.963 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2642
  • Inclination: 4.83°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 106.47°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 307.67°
  • Mean Anomaly: 348.42°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 10.62700 km
  • Magnitude: 13.94
  • Albedo: 0.039

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,880 days (7.89 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 14.97 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 5.01 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.92 AU

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 38292 (1999 RA77) 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.