Key Facts

Overview

79724 (1998 SC125) is a large asteroid that orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the outer reaches of the main asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 1998 SC125 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1998 SC125 orbits the sun every 2,910 days (7.97 years), coming as close as 2.98 AU and reaching as far as 5.00 AU from the sun. 1998 SC125 is about 11.1 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Boston.

No Close Approaches

1998 SC125's orbit is 1.98 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

1998 SC125's orbit is determined by observations dating back to July 20, 1982. It was last officially observed on Jan. 13, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,415 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 1998 SC125:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.992 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2533
  • Inclination: 6.49°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 43.66°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 307.98°
  • Mean Anomaly: 62.1°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 11.05400 km
  • Magnitude: 13.57
  • Albedo: 0.076

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,910 days (7.97 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 14.92 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 5.00 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 2.98 AU

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 79724 (1998 SC125) 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.