Key Facts

Overview

7977 (1977 QQ5) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified 1977 QQ5 as a "Near Earth Asteroid" due to its orbit's proximity to Earth, but it is not considered potentially hazardous because computer simulations have not indicated any imminent likelihood of future collision.

1977 QQ5 orbits the sun every 1,210 days (3.31 years), coming as close as 1.19 AU and reaching as far as 3.26 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1977 QQ5 is probably between 2.435 to 5.446 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the island of Manhattan.

The rotation of 1977 QQ5 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 7.46 hours.

1977 QQ5's spectral type None (Tholen) / S (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain and .

No Close Approaches

1977 QQ5's orbit is 0.36 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a 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

1977 QQ5's orbit is determined by observations dating back to March 23, 1955. It was last officially observed on July 6, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,565 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 1977 QQ5:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.226 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.4664
  • Inclination: 25.16°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 134.14°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 248.11°
  • Mean Anomaly: 294.58°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~3.144 km
  • Magnitude: 15.19
  • Spectral type (SMASS): S

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,210 days (3.31 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 20.01 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.26 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.19 AU
  • Rotation Period: 7.46 hours
  • Approx. Composition: and .

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 7977 (1977 QQ5) 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.

Size Rendering

The above comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 1977 QQ5 to create an approximate landscape rendering with Mount Everest in the background. This approximation is built for full-resolution desktop browsers. Shape, color, and texture of asteroid are imagined.