Key Facts

Overview

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

Klepesta orbits the sun every 1,790 days (4.90 years), coming as close as 2.87 AU and reaching as far as 2.89 AU from the sun. Klepesta is about 29.2 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Indianapolis.

The rotation of Klepesta has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 15.37 hours.

No Close Approaches

Klepesta's orbit is 1.87 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

Klepesta's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Jan. 1, 1965. It was last officially observed on March 28, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 4,633 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 Klepesta:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.881 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0023
  • Inclination: 12.17°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 242.15°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 270.99°
  • Mean Anomaly: 312.6°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 29.22300 km
  • Magnitude: 11.97
  • Albedo: 0.054

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,790 days (4.90 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.51 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.89 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.87 AU
  • Rotation Period: 15.37 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Klepesta 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.