483472 (2002 NX)

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Apollo-class Asteroid
• Comparable in size to the U.S. Capitol building
• Will pass within 28,389,677 km of Earth in 2025
• Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

483472 (2002 NX) is a very small asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2002 NX 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.

2002 NX orbits the sun every 839 days (2.30 years), coming as close as 0.99 AU and reaching as far as 2.50 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2002 NX is probably between 0.362 to 0.809 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 90% of asteroids but tiny compared to large asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Capitol building.

Close Approaches

2002 NX's orbit is 0.10 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.

2002 NX has 3 close approaches predicted in the coming decades:

Images and Observations

2002 NX's orbit is determined by observations dating back to July 5, 2002. It was last officially observed on Jan. 6, 2019. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 436 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 2002 NX:

• 2629 Rudra (1980 RB1)
• 8014 (1990 MF)
• 11284 Belenus (1990 BA)

References

• JPL Small Body Database
• Mission Design
• Sky Finder Chart

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 483472 (2002 NX) 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 below comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 2002 NX to create an approximate landscape rendering with New York City in the background. This approximation is built for full-resolution desktop browsers. Shape, color, and texture of asteroid are imagined.