Key Facts

Overview

45721 (2000 GZ42) 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 2000 GZ42 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2000 GZ42 orbits the sun every 2,710 days (7.42 years), coming as close as 3.52 AU and reaching as far as 4.10 AU from the sun. 2000 GZ42 is about 8.5 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

The rotation of 2000 GZ42 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 6.00 hours.

No Close Approaches

2000 GZ42's orbit is 2.51 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

2000 GZ42's orbit is determined by observations dating back to July 22, 1995. It was last officially observed on June 20, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,506 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 2000 GZ42:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.806 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0761
  • Inclination: 1.02°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 48.0°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 309.94°
  • Mean Anomaly: 258.49°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 8.49800 km
  • Magnitude: 13.37
  • Albedo: 0.097

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,710 days (7.42 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 15.28 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 4.10 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 3.52 AU
  • Rotation Period: 6.00 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 45721 (2000 GZ42) 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.