Key Facts
- Categorized as a Main-belt Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the U.S. state of Connecticut (145.48 km diameter)
- Not a Near Earth Object
- Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
- See orbit simulation
Overview
Julia is a large asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main portion of the asteroid belt. NASA JPL has not classified Julia as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.
Julia orbits the sun every 1,490 days (4.08 years), coming as close as 2.08 AU and reaching as far as 3.02 AU from the sun. Julia is about 145.5 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, comparable in size to the U.S. state of Connecticut.
The rotation of Julia has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 11.39 hours.
Julia's spectral type S (Tholen) / K (SMASSII) indicates that it is likely to contain water, iron, nickel, cobalt, nitrogen, and ammonia.
No Close Approaches
Julia's orbit is 1.10 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
Julia's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 7, 1866. It was last officially observed on June 6, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 4,051 observations used to determine its orbit.
Scientists have been able to determine this object's shape:
View asteroid Julia in 3D.
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 Julia:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 2.551 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.1843
- Inclination: 16.12°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 311.54°
- Argument of Periapsis: 45.14°
- Mean Anomaly: 164.94°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: 145.48300 km
- Magnitude: 6.37
- Albedo: 0.189
- Spectral type (Tholen): S
- Spectral type (SMASS): K
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 1,490 days (4.08 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 18.63 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 3.02 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 2.08 AU
- Rotation Period: 11.39 hours
- Approx. Composition: water, iron, nickel, cobalt, nitrogen, and ammonia.
Map Comparison
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
The position of Julia 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.