Key Facts

Overview

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

Shcherban' orbits the sun every 2,100 days (5.75 years), coming as close as 2.95 AU and reaching as far as 3.47 AU from the sun. Shcherban' is about 20.0 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Indianapolis.

The rotation of Shcherban' has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 3.48 hours.

No Close Approaches

Shcherban''s orbit is 1.97 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

Shcherban''s orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 17, 1931. It was last officially observed on July 5, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,095 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 Shcherban':

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.212 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.081
  • Inclination: 9.74°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 83.48°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 343.73°
  • Mean Anomaly: 296.16°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 20.01800 km
  • Magnitude: 11.72
  • Albedo: 0.133

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,100 days (5.75 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 16.64 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.47 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.95 AU
  • Rotation Period: 3.48 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Shcherban' 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.