Key Facts
- Categorized as a Mars-crossing Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon (1.40 km diameter)
- Not a Near Earth Object
- Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
- See orbit simulation
Overview
Cronkite is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified Cronkite as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.
Cronkite orbits the sun every 1,460 days (4.00 years), coming as close as 1.36 AU and reaching as far as 3.68 AU from the sun. Cronkite is about 1.4 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon.
No Close Approaches
Cronkite's orbit is 0.38 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
Cronkite's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 20, 1974. It was last officially observed on June 21, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,139 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 Cronkite:References
Search
or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.517 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.4605
- Inclination: 25.82°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 71.0°
- Argument of Periapsis: 12.28°
- Mean Anomaly: 83.59°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: 1.40000 km
- Magnitude: 15.82
- Albedo: 0.504
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,460 days (4.00 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.76 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 3.68 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 1.36 AU
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of Cronkite 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 Cronkite 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.
