Key Facts

Overview

7397 (1986 QS) is a mid-sized asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 1986 QS as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1986 QS orbits the sun every 1,690 days (4.63 years), coming as close as 2.32 AU and reaching as far as 3.24 AU from the sun. 1986 QS is about 7.2 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

The rotation of 1986 QS has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 2.86 hours.

1986 QS's spectral type None (Tholen) / S (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain and .

No Close Approaches

1986 QS's orbit is 1.34 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

1986 QS's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Feb. 4, 1951. It was last officially observed on June 30, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 2,985 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 1986 QS:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.782 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.166
  • Inclination: 8.67°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 348.43°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 60.32°
  • Mean Anomaly: 293.28°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 7.15500 km
  • Magnitude: 13.0
  • Albedo: 0.414
  • Spectral type (SMASS): S

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,690 days (4.63 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 17.91 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.24 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.32 AU
  • Rotation Period: 2.86 hours
  • Approx. Composition: and .

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 7397 (1986 QS) 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.