A/2020 M4

Mid-sized Trans-Neptunian Object

Space Reference » Trans-Neptunian Objects » A/2020 M4

Key Facts

Overview

A/2020 M4 is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit extends beyond the orbit of Neptune. NASA JPL has not classified A/2020 M4 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

A/2020 M4 orbits the sun every 639,000,000 days (1,749,486.65 years), coming as close as 5.80 AU and reaching as far as 29014.20 AU from the sun. Its orbit is highly elliptical. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, A/2020 M4 is probably between 4.193 to 9.376 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the San Francisco Bay.

No Close Approaches

A/2020 M4's orbit is 5.01 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

A/2020 M4's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Aug. 9, 2018. It was last officially observed on June 15, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 96 observations used to determine its orbit.

Accessibility and Exploration

This asteroid is not considered a viable target for human exploration by the NHATS study.

References

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Orbital Elements

  • Epoch: 2459471.5 JD
  • Semi-major axis: 14510.0 AU
  • Eccentricity: 0.9996
  • Inclination: 160.13°
  • Longitude of Ascending Node: 348.62°
  • Argument of Periapsis: 104.65°
  • Mean Anomaly: 0.0°

Physical Characteristics

  • Diameter: ~5.414 km
  • Magnitude: 14.01

Derived Characteristics

  • Orbit Period: 639,000,000 days (1,749,486.65 years)
  • Avg. Orbit Speed: 0.25 km/s
  • Aphelion Distance: 29014.20 AU
  • Perihelion Distance: 5.80 AU

Map Comparison

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Orbit Simulation

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Sky Map

The position of A/2020 M4 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.

Size Rendering

The above comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of A/2020 M4 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.