Key Facts

Overview

63252 (2001 BL41) is a large asteroid with an orbit between Jupiter and Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 2001 BL41 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2001 BL41 orbits the sun every 11,400 days (31.21 years), coming as close as 6.96 AU and reaching as far as 12.83 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2001 BL41 is probably between 13.569 to 30.342 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the city of Philadelphia.

No Close Approaches

2001 BL41's orbit is 5.98 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

2001 BL41's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 21, 1996. It was last officially observed on June 17, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 144 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 2001 BL41:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 9.894 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.297
  • Inclination: 12.43°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 280.67°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 129.3°
  • Mean Anomaly: 307.59°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~17.518 km
  • Magnitude: 11.46

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 11,400 days (31.21 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 9.44 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 12.83 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 6.96 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 63252 (2001 BL41) 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.