(162173) Ryugu

(162173) Ryugu is a fascinating asteroid in our Solar System that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. Positioned at an average distance of 1.78e+8 km (1.189 AU) from the Sun, (162173) Ryugu occupies a significant place in the Solar System's architecture. As an asteroid, (162173) Ryugu represents the remnants of the early Solar System, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our cosmic neighborhood.

The (162173) Ryugu physical characteristics reveal a world of remarkable dimensions and properties.

The (162173) Ryugu orbit reveals fascinating details about its journey around the Sun and its relationship to other Solar System objects. The (162173) Ryugu orbit has a semimajor axis of 1.78e+8 km (1.189 AU), placing it 1.2× Earth's distance from the Sun. At its closest approach (perihelion), (162173) Ryugu comes within 1.44e+8 km of the Sun, while at its farthest point (aphelion), it reaches 2.12e+8 km, creating a 38.1% variation in solar distance. The (162173) Ryugu orbit is moderately elliptical with an eccentricity of 0.19 (11.4× Earth's orbital eccentricity), creating noticeable seasonal variations in solar radiation. The (162173) Ryugu orbit takes 0.13 hours to complete (66598.0× smaller than Earth's orbital period), defining the length of its year. The orbital inclination of 5.884° indicates how much the (162173) Ryugu 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 (162173) Ryugu rotation and axial orientation provide crucial insights into its daily and seasonal cycles, as well as its orbital dynamics. The (162173) Ryugu rotation period of 0.00 hours (11292.8× smaller than Earth's rotation period) determines the length of its day. This extremely fast rotation creates intense centrifugal forces and may contribute to the planet's flattened shape. The (162173) Ryugu axial tilt of 171.6° (7.3× Earth's axial tilt) determines the intensity and nature of seasonal variations. This extreme axial tilt creates dramatic seasonal variations, with polar regions experiencing months of continuous daylight or darkness. The orbital orientation parameters reveal additional details about (162173) Ryugu's position in space. The mean anomaly of 322.371° indicates the planet's current position in its orbit relative to its perihelion. The argument of periapsis of 211.437° shows how the orbit's orientation changes over time due to gravitational perturbations. The longitude of ascending node of 251.437° defines the reference point where the orbit crosses the ecliptic plane.

The (162173) Ryugu temperature and atmospheric conditions are fundamental to understanding its habitability and environmental characteristics. The (162173) Ryugu average temperature of 0.0 K (-273.1 °C) (-459.7°F) provides the baseline for understanding its climate. These extremely cold temperatures make (162173) Ryugu 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), (162173) Ryugu presents a dramatically different thermal environment. At a similar distance to Earth from the Sun, (162173) Ryugu'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 (162173) Ryugu escape velocity and shape characteristics reveal important details about its gravitational field and rotational dynamics. The (162173) Ryugu 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 (162173) Ryugu to retain a substantial atmosphere. The (162173) Ryugu 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.