Key Facts
- Categorized as a Apollo-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to Mount Everest
- Will pass within 10,139,721 km of Earth in 2048
- Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
- Classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)
- See orbit simulation
Overview
533671 (2014 LJ21) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 2014 LJ21 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.
2014 LJ21 orbits the sun every 1,790 days (4.90 years), coming as close as 0.30 AU and reaching as far as 5.48 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2014 LJ21 is probably between 1.639 to 3.665 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest.
The rotation of 2014 LJ21 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 16.41 hours.
Close Approaches
2014 LJ21's orbit is 0.03 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.
2014 LJ21 has 1 close approaches predicted in the coming decades:
| Date | Distance from Earth (km) | Velocity (km/s) |
|---|---|---|
| July 30, 2048 | 10,139,721 | 34.528 |
Images and Observations
2014 LJ21's orbit is determined by observations dating back to May 12, 2005. It was last officially observed on June 25, 2019. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 346 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 2014 LJ21:References
Search
or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.889 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.8956
- Inclination: 24.28°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 126.6°
- Argument of Periapsis: 302.87°
- Mean Anomaly: 331.06°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: ~2.116 km
- Magnitude: 16.05
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,790 days (4.90 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.56 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 5.48 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 0.30 AU
- Rotation Period: 16.41 hours
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of 533671 (2014 LJ21) 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 above comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 2014 LJ21 to create an approximate landscape rendering with Mount Everest in the background. This approximation is built for full-resolution desktop browsers. Shape, color, and texture of asteroid are imagined.
