Key Facts

Overview

Quaoar is a dwarf planet whose orbit extends beyond the orbit of Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified Quaoar as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Quaoar orbits the sun every 104,000 days (284.74 years), coming as close as 41.60 AU and reaching as far as 45.02 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, Quaoar is probably between 872.077 to 1950.024 kilometers in diameter, making it the largest asteroid/dwarf planet, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. state of Alaska.

The rotation of Quaoar has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 8.84 hours.

No Close Approaches

Quaoar's orbit is 40.60 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

Quaoar's orbit is determined by observations dating back to May 25, 1954. It was last officially observed on Aug. 9, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 705 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 Quaoar:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 43.31 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0395
  • Inclination: 7.99°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 189.1°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 159.9°
  • Mean Anomaly: 292.89°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~1125.847 km
  • Magnitude: 2.42

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 104,000 days (284.74 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 4.53 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 45.02 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 41.60 AU
  • Rotation Period: 8.84 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Quaoar 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.