Key Facts

Overview

Kythera is a large asteroid that orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the outer reaches of the main asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Kythera as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Kythera orbits the sun every 2,310 days (6.32 years), coming as close as 3.02 AU and reaching as far as 3.83 AU from the sun. Kythera is about 87.5 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Delaware.

The rotation of Kythera has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 8.12 hours.

Kythera's spectral type ST (Tholen) / T (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain .

No Close Approaches

Kythera's orbit is 2.02 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

Kythera's orbit is determined by observations dating back to July 31, 1905. It was last officially observed on July 4, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 8,106 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 Kythera:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.422 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1187
  • Inclination: 1.82°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 223.29°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 162.06°
  • Mean Anomaly: 163.77°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 87.48600 km
  • Magnitude: 8.95
  • Albedo: 0.069
  • Spectral type (Tholen): ST
  • Spectral type (SMASS): T

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,310 days (6.32 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 16.12 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.83 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 3.02 AU
  • Rotation Period: 8.12 hours
  • Approx. Composition: .

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Kythera 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.