Key Facts

Overview

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

Keneke orbits the sun every 2,850 days (7.80 years), coming as close as 3.32 AU and reaching as far as 4.54 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, Keneke is probably between 12.318 to 27.545 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the city of Philadelphia.

The rotation of Keneke has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 46.74 hours.

No Close Approaches

Keneke's orbit is 2.33 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

Keneke's orbit is determined by observations dating back to April 11, 1967. It was last officially observed on July 1, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 3,541 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 Keneke:

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 3.931 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.1555
  • Inclination: 16.67°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 147.98°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 133.27°
  • Mean Anomaly: 4.72°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~15.903 km
  • Magnitude: 11.67

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 2,850 days (7.80 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 15.01 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 4.54 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 3.32 AU
  • Rotation Period: 46.74 hours

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of Keneke 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.