3753 Cruithne

3753 Cruithne is a fascinating asteroid in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. With a 3753 Cruithne radius of 2.5 km, making it 2548.4× smaller than Earth's size, this celestial body presents unique characteristics that distinguish it from other objects in our cosmic neighborhood. Positioned at an average distance of 1.49e+8 km (0.998 AU) from the Sun, 3753 Cruithne occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture. As an asteroid, 3753 Cruithne represents the remnants of the early Solar System, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our cosmic neighborhood.

The 3753 Cruithne physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties. The 3753 Cruithne radius measures 2.5 km, making it 2548.4× smaller than Earth's size. The 3753 Cruithne mass of 1.30e+14 kg represents 45938461538.5× smaller than Earth's mass, giving this world substantial gravitational influence.

The 3753 Cruithne orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The 3753 Cruithne orbit has a semimajor axis of 1.49e+8 km (0.998 AU), placing it 1.0× smaller than Earth's distance from the Sun. At its closest approach (perihelion), 3753 Cruithne comes within 7.24e+7 km of the Sun, while at its farthest point (aphelion), it reaches 2.26e+8 km, creating a 103.0% variation in solar distance. The 3753 Cruithne orbit is highly elliptical with an eccentricity of 0.515 (30.8× Earth's orbital eccentricity), leading to extreme variations in temperature and solar exposure. The 3753 Cruithne orbit takes 0.10 hours to complete (86693.7× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of 19.807° indicates how much the 3753 Cruithne orbit is tilted relative to the Solar System's ecliptic plane. This moderate inclination indicates a typical orbital evolution for objects in this region of the Solar System.

The 3753 Cruithne rotation and axial orientation provide crucial insights into its daily and seasonal cycles, as well as its orbital dynamics. The 3753 Cruithne axial tilt of 0° determines the intensity and nature of seasonal variations. With minimal axial tilt, 3753 Cruithne experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year. The orbital orientation parameters reveal additional details about 3753 Cruithne's position in space. The mean anomaly of 0° indicates the planet's current position in its orbit relative to its perihelion. The argument of periapsis of 0° shows how the orbit's orientation changes over time due to gravitational perturbations. The longitude of ascending node of 0° defines the reference point where the orbit crosses the ecliptic plane.

The 3753 Cruithne temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The 3753 Cruithne average temperature of 0.0 K (-273.1 °C) (-459.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make 3753 Cruithne inhospitable to life as we know it, with any atmosphere likely frozen solid on the surface. Compared to Earth's average temperature of 15°C (59°F), 3753 Cruithne presents a dramatically different thermal environment. At a similar distance to Earth from the Sun, 3753 Cruithne's temperature is primarily influenced by its atmospheric composition and albedo. The elliptical orbit creates significant temperature variations throughout the year, with extreme seasonal changes.

The 3753 Cruithne escape velocity and shape characteristics reveal important details about its gravitational field and rotational dynamics. The 3753 Cruithne escape velocity of 0 m/s determines how easily objects can break free from its gravitational pull. This relatively low escape velocity means that gases and light molecules can easily escape into space, making it difficult for 3753 Cruithne to retain a substantial atmosphere. The 3753 Cruithne flattening of 0.0000% indicates how much the planet's rotation affects its shape. This minimal flattening suggests a nearly spherical shape, indicating either slow rotation or a very rigid internal structure.