Key Facts

Overview

60621 (2000 FE8) is a large asteroid whose orbit extends beyond the orbit of Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 2000 FE8 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2000 FE8 orbits the sun every 148,000 days (405.20 years), coming as close as 32.96 AU and reaching as far as 76.80 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2000 FE8 is probably between 111.829 to 250.058 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. state of Connecticut.

No Close Approaches

2000 FE8's orbit is 32.00 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

2000 FE8's orbit is determined by observations dating back to March 27, 2000. It was last officially observed on May 23, 2020. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 166 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 2000 FE8:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 54.88 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.3995
  • Inclination: 5.88°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 4.03°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 142.41°
  • Mean Anomaly: 37.03°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~144.371 km
  • Magnitude: 6.88

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 148,000 days (405.20 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 4.03 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 76.80 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 32.96 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 60621 (2000 FE8) 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.