Astrophyzix Object Profile: 413989 (2007 EL88)
Image Credit: NASA JPL Small Body Database
Introduction
Asteroid 413989 (2007 EL88) is an Apollo-class Near-Earth Object (NEO) with a dynamically evolved, moderately high-eccentricity orbit that intersects the orbital path of Earth. It is classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) based on its size and orbital proximity, though current orbital solutions confirm no impact risk.
- Current long‑term solutions show no impact scenarios within the next 100 years.
Classification and Discovery
| Parameter |
Value |
| Object Name |
413989 (2007 EL88) |
| Classification |
Apollo-class NEO, Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) |
| SPK-ID |
20413989 |
| Discovery Date |
2007-03-14 |
| Discovery Survey |
Siding Spring Survey |
Osculating Orbital Elements (Epoch 2461000.5 TDB)
| Element |
Value |
Uncertainty (1σ) |
Units |
| Eccentricity (e) |
0.5218747832096846 |
1.2062E-7 |
— |
| Semi-major axis (a) |
1.119627807862969 |
1.4109E-9 |
au |
| Perihelion distance (q) |
0.5353222883589478 |
1.3477E-7 |
au |
| Inclination (i) |
30.84340868651621 |
2.5202E-5 |
deg |
| Longitude of ascending node (Ω) |
198.4305513592117 |
6.3835E-6 |
deg |
| Argument of perihelion (ω) |
116.1645672469671 |
1.222E-5 |
deg |
| Mean anomaly (M) |
208.5007286602182 |
9.5659E-6 |
deg |
| Orbital period |
432.7219658 |
2.2395E-9 |
days |
| Aphelion distance (Q) |
1.703933327366991 |
2.1472E-9 |
au |
Orbital Characteristics and Earth Interaction
| Parameter |
Value |
| Earth MOID |
0.034764 au |
| Jupiter MOID |
3.90309 au |
| Tisserand Parameter (Jupiter) |
5.327 |
The relatively higher eccentricity (e ≈ 0.52) compared to many Apollo asteroids results in a more elongated orbit, extending from well داخل Earth's orbit to beyond Mars-crossing distances. Despite this, the Earth MOID remains sufficiently low for classification as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid.
Physical Properties
| Parameter |
Value |
Units |
| Absolute Magnitude (H) |
19.07 |
mag |
- Estimated diameter: ~350–800 m (albedo-dependent).
An absolute magnitude of 19.07 implies an estimated diameter in the range of ~400–900 metres depending on albedo assumptions. This places 413989 (2007 EL88) in a size regime where global to continental-scale effects would be expected in the unlikely event of an Earth impact.
Observational Data and Orbit Quality
| Metric |
Value |
| Observation Arc |
5783 days (15.83 years) |
| Total Observations |
247 |
| Condition Code |
0 (well-constrained orbit) |
| RMS Residual |
0.40815 |
Close Approach Behaviour
Historical close approach data indicates that 413989 (2007 EL88) undergoes periodic Earth flybys at distances typically exceeding 0.19 au. Its orbital inclination (~30.8°) and high eccentricity reduce the frequency of close Earth alignments compared to lower-inclination NEOs.
| Example Date |
Distance (au) |
Velocity (km/s) |
| 1917-Apr-03 |
0.19857 |
27.20 |
| 1911-Apr-16 |
0.26223 |
17.47 |
| 1906-Nov-09 |
0.28372 |
25.77 |
Conclusion
413989 (2007 EL88) is a large, well-characterised Apollo-class asteroid with a stable and precisely determined orbit. While its size and classification warrant continued monitoring, all available data confirms that it poses no impact threat. Its orbital dynamics and inclination make close Earth encounters relatively infrequent and observationally routine when they occur.
Source: NASA JPL Small-Body Database (Solution 68)
