10199 Chariklo

10199 Chariklo is a fascinating asteroid in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. With a 10199 Chariklo radius of 248 km, making it 25.7× 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 2.38e+9 km (15.909 AU) from the Sun, 10199 Chariklo occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture. As an asteroid, 10199 Chariklo represents the remnants of the early Solar System, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our cosmic neighborhood.

The 10199 Chariklo physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties. The 10199 Chariklo radius measures 248 km, making it 25.7× smaller than Earth's size.

The 10199 Chariklo orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The 10199 Chariklo orbit has a semimajor axis of 2.38e+9 km (15.909 AU), placing it 15.9× Earth's distance from the Sun. At its closest approach (perihelion), 10199 Chariklo comes within 1.96e+9 km of the Sun, while at its farthest point (aphelion), it reaches 2.80e+9 km, creating a 35.2% variation in solar distance. The 10199 Chariklo orbit is moderately elliptical with an eccentricity of 0.176 (10.5× Earth's orbital eccentricity), creating noticeable seasonal variations in solar radiation. The 10199 Chariklo orbit takes 6.41 hours to complete (1367.1× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of 23.374° indicates how much the 10199 Chariklo 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 10199 Chariklo rotation and axial orientation provide crucial insights into its daily and seasonal cycles, as well as its orbital dynamics. The 10199 Chariklo axial tilt of 0° determines the intensity and nature of seasonal variations. With minimal axial tilt, 10199 Chariklo experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year. The orbital orientation parameters reveal additional details about 10199 Chariklo'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 10199 Chariklo temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The 10199 Chariklo average temperature of 0.0 K (-273.1 °C) (-459.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make 10199 Chariklo 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), 10199 Chariklo presents a dramatically different thermal environment. Being farther from the Sun than Earth, 10199 Chariklo receives less solar radiation, resulting in cooler conditions. The elliptical orbit creates significant temperature variations throughout the year, with extreme seasonal changes.

The 10199 Chariklo escape velocity and shape characteristics reveal important details about its gravitational field and rotational dynamics. The 10199 Chariklo 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 10199 Chariklo to retain a substantial atmosphere. The 10199 Chariklo 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.