Key Facts

Overview

Ukalegon is a mid-sized asteroid that shares Jupiter's orbit around the sun. NASA JPL has not classified Ukalegon as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Ukalegon orbits the sun every 4,280 days (11.72 years), coming as close as 4.43 AU and reaching as far as 5.89 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, Ukalegon is probably between 7.595 to 16.984 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

No Close Approaches

Ukalegon's orbit is 3.50 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

Ukalegon's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 7, 1977. It was last officially observed on June 30, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 572 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 Ukalegon:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 5.159 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1409
  • Inclination: 20.96°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 227.36°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 106.62°
  • Mean Anomaly: 3.81°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~9.806 km
  • Magnitude: 12.72

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 4,280 days (11.72 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 13.11 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 5.89 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 4.43 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Ukalegon 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.