Key Facts

Overview

523955 (1998 UU43) is a large asteroid whose orbit extends beyond the orbit of Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 1998 UU43 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1998 UU43 orbits the sun every 81,000 days (221.77 years), coming as close as 31.90 AU and reaching as far as 41.36 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1998 UU43 is probably between 95.621 to 213.816 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. state of Connecticut.

No Close Approaches

1998 UU43's orbit is 30.90 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

1998 UU43's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 22, 1998. It was last officially observed on Dec. 1, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 65 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 1998 UU43:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 36.63 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1291
  • Inclination: 9.56°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 231.23°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 276.68°
  • Mean Anomaly: 303.88°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~123.447 km
  • Magnitude: 7.22

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 81,000 days (221.77 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 4.92 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 41.36 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 31.90 AU

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 523955 (1998 UU43) 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.