28978 Ixion

28978 Ixion is a fascinating asteroid in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. With a 28978 Ixion radius of 379.5 km, making it 16.8× 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 5.91e+9 km (39.512 AU) from the Sun, 28978 Ixion occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture. As an asteroid, 28978 Ixion represents the remnants of the early Solar System, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our cosmic neighborhood.

The 28978 Ixion physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties. The 28978 Ixion radius measures 379.5 km, making it 16.8× smaller than Earth's size. The 28978 Ixion mass of 2.30e+20 kg represents 25965.2× smaller than Earth's mass, giving this world substantial gravitational influence.

The 28978 Ixion orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The 28978 Ixion orbit has a semimajor axis of 5.91e+9 km (39.512 AU), placing it 39.5× Earth's distance from the Sun. At its closest approach (perihelion), 28978 Ixion comes within 4.48e+9 km of the Sun, while at its farthest point (aphelion), it reaches 7.34e+9 km, creating a 48.3% variation in solar distance. The 28978 Ixion orbit is moderately elliptical with an eccentricity of 0.241 (14.4× Earth's orbital eccentricity), creating noticeable seasonal variations in solar radiation. The 28978 Ixion orbit takes 1.05 days to complete (347.9× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of 19.621° indicates how much the 28978 Ixion 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 28978 Ixion rotation and axial orientation provide crucial insights into its daily and seasonal cycles, as well as its orbital dynamics. The 28978 Ixion axial tilt of 0° determines the intensity and nature of seasonal variations. With minimal axial tilt, 28978 Ixion experiences virtually no seasonal changes, maintaining relatively constant temperatures throughout its year. The orbital orientation parameters reveal additional details about 28978 Ixion'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 28978 Ixion temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The 28978 Ixion average temperature of 0.0 K (-273.1 °C) (-459.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make 28978 Ixion 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), 28978 Ixion presents a dramatically different thermal environment. Being farther from the Sun than Earth, 28978 Ixion receives less solar radiation, resulting in cooler conditions. The elliptical orbit creates significant temperature variations throughout the year, with extreme seasonal changes.

The 28978 Ixion escape velocity and shape characteristics reveal important details about its gravitational field and rotational dynamics. The 28978 Ixion 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 28978 Ixion to retain a substantial atmosphere. The 28978 Ixion 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.