Key Facts

Overview

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

Chikushi orbits the sun every 2,850 days (7.80 years), coming as close as 3.65 AU and reaching as far as 4.21 AU from the sun. Chikushi is about 37.4 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Houston.

The rotation of Chikushi has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 7.79 hours.

No Close Approaches

Chikushi's orbit is 2.64 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

Chikushi's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 25, 1955. It was last officially observed on June 17, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,982 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 Chikushi:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.93 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0713
  • Inclination: 5.36°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 25.48°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 206.93°
  • Mean Anomaly: 51.4°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 37.40000 km
  • Magnitude: 11.69
  • Albedo: 0.0348

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,850 days (7.80 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 15.00 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 4.21 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 3.65 AU
  • Rotation Period: 7.79 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Chikushi 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.