Key Facts

Overview

Dodo is a mid-sized asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Dodo as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Dodo orbits the sun every 1,420 days (3.89 years), coming as close as 2.23 AU and reaching as far as 2.72 AU from the sun. Dodo is about 8.7 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

No Close Approaches

Dodo's orbit is 1.23 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

Dodo's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 8, 1953. It was last officially observed on July 4, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 2,979 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 Dodo:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.473 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0984
  • Inclination: 9.49°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 24.28°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 359.63°
  • Mean Anomaly: 346.81°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 8.70400 km
  • Magnitude: 13.24
  • Albedo: 0.161

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,420 days (3.89 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.95 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.72 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.23 AU

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Dodo 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.