53426 (1999 SL5)

Mid-sized Apollo-class Asteroid

Near-Earth Potentially Hazardous
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Key Facts

Overview

53426 (1999 SL5) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth. NASA JPL has classified 1999 SL5 as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" due to its predicted close pass(es) with Earth.

1999 SL5 orbits the sun every 974 days (2.67 years), coming as close as 0.89 AU and reaching as far as 2.96 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1999 SL5 is probably between 0.952 to 2.128 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon.

The rotation of 1999 SL5 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 5.03 hours.

No Close Approaches

1999 SL5'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.

Orbital simulations conducted by NASA JPL's CNEOS do not show any close approaches to Earth.

Images and Observations

1999 SL5's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 28, 1999. It was last officially observed on Aug. 4, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 906 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 1999 SL5:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 1.923 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.5383
  • Inclination: 22.77°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 239.07°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 43.35°
  • Mean Anomaly: 20.2°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~1.229 km
  • Magnitude: 17.23

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 974 days (2.67 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 21.48 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.96 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.89 AU
  • Rotation Period: 5.03 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 53426 (1999 SL5) 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 1999 SL5 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.