Key Facts

Overview

Jasonwheeler is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified Jasonwheeler as a "Near Earth Asteroid" due to its orbit's proximity to Earth, but it is not considered potentially hazardous because computer simulations have not indicated any imminent likelihood of future collision.

Jasonwheeler orbits the sun every 1,160 days (3.18 years), coming as close as 1.25 AU and reaching as far as 3.07 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, Jasonwheeler is probably between 1.001 to 2.239 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon.

The rotation of Jasonwheeler has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 5.31 hours.

No Close Approaches

Jasonwheeler's orbit is 0.24 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

Jasonwheeler's orbit is determined by observations dating back to May 16, 1955. It was last officially observed on Dec. 1, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 536 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 Jasonwheeler:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.159 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.4227
  • Inclination: 7.87°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 128.65°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 153.78°
  • Mean Anomaly: 167.74°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~1.293 km
  • Magnitude: 17.12

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,160 days (3.18 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 20.25 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.07 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.25 AU
  • Rotation Period: 5.31 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Jasonwheeler 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 Jasonwheeler 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.