Key Facts

Overview

Keithnoll is a mid-sized asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified Keithnoll as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

Keithnoll orbits the sun every 1,250 days (3.42 years), coming as close as 1.59 AU and reaching as far as 2.96 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, Keithnoll is probably between 7.457 to 16.674 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

The rotation of Keithnoll has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 3.15 hours.

Keithnoll's spectral type None (Tholen) / S (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain and .

No Close Approaches

Keithnoll's orbit is 0.62 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a very 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

Keithnoll's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 12, 1955. It was last officially observed on July 5, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,607 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 Keithnoll:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.271 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.3014
  • Inclination: 8.73°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 119.79°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 268.15°
  • Mean Anomaly: 291.87°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~9.627 km
  • Magnitude: 12.76
  • Spectral type (SMASS): S

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,250 days (3.42 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.77 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.96 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.59 AU
  • Rotation Period: 3.15 hours
  • Approx. Composition: and .

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Keithnoll 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.