Key Facts

Overview

558168 (2014 XQ40) is a large asteroid whose orbit extends beyond the orbit of Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 2014 XQ40 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2014 XQ40 orbits the sun every 196,000 days (536.62 years), coming as close as 17.97 AU and reaching as far as 114.15 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2014 XQ40 is probably between 43.307 to 96.837 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

No Close Approaches

2014 XQ40's orbit is 17.00 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

2014 XQ40's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Feb. 23, 2011. It was last officially observed on May 3, 2021. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 131 observations used to determine its orbit.

Accessibility and Exploration

This asteroid is not considered a viable target for human exploration by the NHATS study.

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 66.06 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.7279
  • Inclination: 14.73°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 261.03°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 268.41°
  • Mean Anomaly: 5.83°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~55.909 km
  • Magnitude: 8.94

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 196,000 days (536.62 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 3.67 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 114.15 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 17.97 AU

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 558168 (2014 XQ40) 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.