Key Facts

Overview

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

Williamknight orbits the sun every 2,120 days (5.80 years), coming as close as 3.02 AU and reaching as far as 3.45 AU from the sun. Williamknight is about 20.6 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Indianapolis.

The rotation of Williamknight has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 186.06 hours.

No Close Approaches

Williamknight's orbit is 2.01 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

Williamknight's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Oct. 10, 1980. It was last officially observed on June 18, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 4,501 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 Williamknight:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.233 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.0666
  • Inclination: 7.21°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 10.71°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 324.56°
  • Mean Anomaly: 196.85°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 20.57900 km
  • Magnitude: 12.12
  • Albedo: 0.049

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,120 days (5.80 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 16.59 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.45 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 3.02 AU
  • Rotation Period: 186.06 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Williamknight 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.