68278 (2001 FC7)

Small Amor-class Asteroid

Near-Earth
Space Reference » Amor-class Asteroids » 68278 (2001 FC7)

Key Facts

  • Categorized as a Amor-class Asteroid
  • Comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge (0.94 km diameter)
  • Classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA)
  • Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
  • See orbit simulation

Overview

68278 (2001 FC7) is a small asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified 2001 FC7 as a "Near Earth Asteroid" due to its orbit's proximity to Earth, but it is not considered potentially hazardous because computer simulations have not indicated any imminent likelihood of future collision.

2001 FC7 orbits the sun every 629 days (1.72 years), coming as close as 1.27 AU and reaching as far as 1.60 AU from the sun. 2001 FC7 is about 0.9 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than ~97% of asteroids but small compared to large asteroids, comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge.

The rotation of 2001 FC7 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 3.45 hours.

No Close Approaches

2001 FC7's orbit is 0.26 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

2001 FC7's orbit is determined by observations dating back to June 13, 1996. It was last officially observed on Feb. 3, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,488 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 FC7:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 1.436 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1143
  • Inclination: 2.62°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 99.07°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 234.51°
  • Mean Anomaly: 238.94°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 0.94200 km
  • Magnitude: 18.5
  • Albedo: 0.087

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 629 days (1.72 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 24.84 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 1.60 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.27 AU
  • Rotation Period: 3.45 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of 68278 (2001 FC7) 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 2001 FC7 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.