96631 (1999 FP59) is a small asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified 1999 FP59 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.
1999 FP59 orbits the sun every 809 days (2.21 years), coming as close as 1.26 AU and reaching as far as 2.14 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1999 FP59 is probably between 0.615 to 1.374 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than ~97% of asteroids but small compared to large asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge.
The rotation of 1999 FP59 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 3.59 hours.
1999 FP59's orbit is 0.25 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.
1999 FP59's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 30, 1986. It was last officially observed on Feb. 11, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 820 observations used to determine its orbit.
The position of 96631 (1999 FP59) 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.
The above comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 1999 FP59 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.