Key Facts

Overview

8487 (1989 SQ) is a large asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified 1989 SQ as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

1989 SQ orbits the sun every 1,330 days (3.64 years), coming as close as 1.82 AU and reaching as far as 2.91 AU from the sun. 1989 SQ is about 10.6 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the city of Boston.

The rotation of 1989 SQ has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 9.43 hours.

No Close Approaches

1989 SQ's orbit is 0.83 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a very 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

1989 SQ's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 5, 1978. It was last officially observed on May 7, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 2,728 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 1989 SQ:

References

Search

   or view a random object

Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 2.365 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.2316
  • Inclination: 4.25°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 301.61°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 107.89°
  • Mean Anomaly: 92.41°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: 10.59800 km
  • Magnitude: 14.02
  • Albedo: 0.057

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 1,330 days (3.64 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 19.35 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.91 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 1.82 AU
  • Rotation Period: 9.43 hours

Map Comparison

Click to load map

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 8487 (1989 SQ) 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.