Key Facts

  • Categorized as a Main-belt Asteroid
  • Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island (44.02 km diameter)
  • Not a Near Earth Object
  • Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
  • See orbit simulation

Overview

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

Joella orbits the sun every 1,500 days (4.11 years), coming as close as 1.83 AU and reaching as far as 3.30 AU from the sun. Joella is about 44.0 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The rotation of Joella has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 13.04 hours.

No Close Approaches

Joella's orbit is 0.89 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

Joella's orbit is determined by observations dating back to July 14, 1931. It was last officially observed on April 17, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 5,098 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 Joella:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.565 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2854
  • Inclination: 15.44°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 241.94°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 113.17°
  • Mean Anomaly: 107.04°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 44.02000 km
  • Magnitude: 10.68
  • Albedo: 0.0539

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,500 days (4.11 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.60 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.30 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.83 AU
  • Rotation Period: 13.04 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Joella 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.