Key Facts
- Categorized as a Apollo-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge
- Will pass within 16,446,093 km of Earth in 2020
- Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
- Classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)
- See orbit simulation
Overview
517103 (2013 EM20) is a very small asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2013 EM20 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.
2013 EM20 orbits the sun every 586 days (1.60 years), coming as close as 0.94 AU and reaching as far as 1.81 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2013 EM20 is probably between 0.180 to 0.807 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 90% of asteroids but tiny compared to large asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge.
The rotation of 2013 EM20 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 8.04 hours.
Close Approaches
2013 EM20's orbit is 0.04 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.
2013 EM20 has 13 close approaches predicted in the coming decades:
| Date | Distance from Earth (km) | Velocity (km/s) |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 24, 2020 | 16,446,093 | 7.752 |
| Dec. 10, 2028 | 6,587,048 | 7.111 |
| Jan. 9, 2037 | 20,764,567 | 10.305 |
| Oct. 3, 2065 | 29,729,171 | 10.981 |
| Nov. 6, 2073 | 12,900,050 | 7.208 |
| Dec. 17, 2081 | 6,593,467 | 7.311 |
| Jan. 13, 2090 | 25,888,851 | 11.354 |
| Oct. 10, 2118 | 24,343,401 | 9.726 |
| Nov. 19, 2126 | 10,355,606 | 7.038 |
| Dec. 26, 2134 | 8,593,517 | 7.797 |
| Oct. 30, 2171 | 15,164,493 | 7.586 |
| Dec. 15, 2179 | 6,654,519 | 7.200 |
| Jan. 15, 2188 | 24,909,495 | 11.097 |
Images and Observations
2013 EM20's orbit is determined by observations dating back to April 7, 1997. It was last officially observed on May 6, 2021. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 2,399 observations used to determine its orbit.
Accessibility and Exploration
2013 EM20 can be reached with a journey of 362 days. This trajectory would require a delta-v of 11.947 km/s. To put this into perspective, the delta-v to launch a rocket to Low-Earth Orbit is 9.7 km/s. There are 2 potential trajectories and launch windows to this asteroid.
See more at the NHATS Mission Trajectories table for 2013 EM20.
Similar Objects
These objects have orbits that share similar characteristics to the orbit of 2013 EM20:References
Search
or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 1.371 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.318
- Inclination: 8.36°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 73.88°
- Argument of Periapsis: 350.15°
- Mean Anomaly: 271.66°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~0.494 km
- Magnitude: 19.92
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 586 days (1.60 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 25.45 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 1.81 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 0.94 AU
- Rotation Period: 8.04 hours
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 517103 (2013 EM20) 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 2013 EM20 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.
