Key Facts

Overview

73480 (2002 PN34) is a large asteroid whose orbit extends beyond the orbit of Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified 2002 PN34 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2002 PN34 orbits the sun every 63,600 days (174.13 years), coming as close as 13.43 AU and reaching as far as 48.93 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2002 PN34 is probably between 50.881 to 113.773 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

The rotation of 2002 PN34 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 8.45 hours.

No Close Approaches

2002 PN34's orbit is 12.40 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

2002 PN34's orbit is determined by observations dating back to June 12, 2001. It was last officially observed on Feb. 5, 2020. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 259 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 2002 PN34:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 31.18 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.5694
  • Inclination: 16.63°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 299.15°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 359.04°
  • Mean Anomaly: 45.06°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~65.687 km
  • Magnitude: 8.59

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 63,600 days (174.13 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 5.33 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 48.93 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 13.43 AU
  • Rotation Period: 8.45 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 73480 (2002 PN34) 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.