Key Facts

Overview

7284 (1989 VW) is a large asteroid that orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the outer reaches of the main asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 1989 VW as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1989 VW orbits the sun every 2,900 days (7.94 years), coming as close as 3.32 AU and reaching as far as 4.65 AU from the sun. 1989 VW is about 23.4 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Indianapolis.

The rotation of 1989 VW has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 26.45 hours.

No Close Approaches

1989 VW's orbit is 2.33 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

1989 VW's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 5, 1980. It was last officially observed on June 16, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,262 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 1989 VW:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.981 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.167
  • Inclination: 6.36°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 47.06°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 40.38°
  • Mean Anomaly: 65.01°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 23.41100 km
  • Magnitude: 11.76
  • Albedo: 0.080

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,900 days (7.94 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 14.93 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 4.65 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 3.32 AU
  • Rotation Period: 26.45 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 7284 (1989 VW) 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.