Key Facts
- Categorized as a Apollo-class Asteroid
- Comparable in size to the U.S. Capitol building (0.47 km diameter)
- A Near Earth Object
- Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
- See orbit simulation
Overview
2008 GA4 is a small asteroid circling the sun between Mars and Jupiter, inside the main asteroid belt. NASA JPL does not treat 2008 GA4 as potentially hazardous, because its orbit never carries it near Earth.
One lap around the sun takes 2008 GA4 860 days (2.35 years). Over that circuit it swings between 0.58 AU and 2.96 AU from the sun, travelling at an average of 22.39 km/s. At 0.5 kilometers across, 2008 GA4 is bigger than 90% of known asteroids — roughly the size of the U.S. Capitol building.
Close Approaches
At their nearest, the orbits of 2008 GA4 and Earth stay 0.11 AU apart. Its predicted passes are listed below.
These 8 passes come from orbital simulations run by NASA JPL's CNEOS.
| Date | Distance from Earth (km) | Velocity (km/s) |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 6, 2026 | 28,239,309 | 24.242 |
| March 15, 2055 | 16,614,059 | 19.145 |
| Sept. 21, 2066 | 21,431,813 | 17.017 |
| March 8, 2088 | 22,403,286 | 16.562 |
| Sept. 17, 2099 | 16,789,421 | 18.965 |
| March 20, 2121 | 18,653,558 | 21.401 |
| March 14, 2147 | 17,799,777 | 18.021 |
| March 16, 2173 | 16,172,903 | 19.441 |
Images and Observations
The orbit of 2008 GA4 is pinned down by sightings going back to April 8, 2008, the most recent officially logged on April 27, 2022. The IAU Minor Planet Center holds 206 observations behind that solution.
Accessibility and Exploration
The NHATS study does not rate 2008 GA4 as a realistic destination for a crewed mission.Similar Objects
These objects follow orbits with much the same shape and tilt as 2008 GA4:References
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or view a random objectOrbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 1.77 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.6696
- Inclination: 6.32°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 83.04°
- Argument of Periapsis: 0.71°
- Mean Anomaly: 243.95°
Physical Characteristics
- Diameter: 0.46700 km
- Magnitude: 19.33
Derived Characteristics
- Orbit Period: 860 days (2.35 years)
- Avg. Orbit Speed: 22.39 km/s
- Aphelion Distance: 2.96 AU
- Perihelion Distance: 0.58 AU
Map Comparison
Size Rendering
An artistic impression, scaling 2008 GA4 against the New York skyline from its measured diameter. The shape, colour and texture of the asteroid are invented; only the size is real. Built for full-size desktop browsers.
Orbit Simulation
Sky Map
A ◯ pink circle marks where 2008 GA4 sits. It may fall outside your current field of view — use the controls below to change the position, location and time.