Hidden by the sun
New telescopic surveys are scanning the sky at twilight to identify near-Earth asteroids that can be hidden by the glare of the sun. These asteroids are grouped by how they cross planetary orbits.
'Ayló'chaxnim
First asteroid observed with an orbit entirely interior to Venus
SUN
2021 PH27
Asteroid with the
shortest-known
orbit around the
sun (114.6 days)
Asteroids with orbits entirely interior of Mercury (Vulcanoids) are theorized but have yet to be observed.
Jason Treat NG Staff.
Sources: Scott S. Sheppard, Science, 2022; Caltech/JPL small-body database.
Hidden by the sun
New telescopic surveys are scanning the sky at twilight to identify near-Earth asteroids that can be hidden by the glare of the sun. These asteroids are grouped by how they cross planetary orbits.
SUN
'Ayló'chaxnim
First asteroid observed with an orbit entirely interior to Venus
2021 PH27
Asteroid with
the shortest-
known orbit
around the sun
(114.6 days)
Asteroids with orbits entirely interior of Mercury (Vulcanoids) are theorized but have yet to be observed.
Jason Treat NG Staff.
Sources: Scott S. Sheppard, Science, 2022;
Caltech/JPL small-body database.