Close Approach Data
| Date | Miss Distance | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| October 2, 1906 | 0.1545 AU (23.1 million km) | 12.3 km/s |
| March 30, 1922 | 0.0887 AU (13.3 million km) | 8.0 km/s |
| December 9, 1933 | 0.1062 AU (15.9 million km) | 12.1 km/s |
| August 23, 1937 | 0.1914 AU (28.6 million km) | 20.1 km/s |
| May 21, 1947 | 1.7748 AU (265.5 million km) | 5.6 km/s |
| March 6, 1959 | 1.5956 AU (238.7 million km) | 4.9 km/s |
| January 4, 1971 | 1.5152 AU (226.7 million km) | 4.6 km/s |
| November 22, 1982 | 1.5154 AU (226.7 million km) | 4.5 km/s |
| December 26, 1988 | 0.1169 AU (17.5 million km) | 15.6 km/s |
| December 8, 1992 | 0.0242 AU (3.6 million km) | 11.2 km/s |
| October 29, 1994 | 1.6008 AU (239.5 million km) | 4.7 km/s |
| November 29, 1996 | 0.0354 AU (5.3 million km) | 10.2 km/s |
| October 31, 2000 | 0.0739 AU (11.1 million km) | 9.7 km/s |
| September 29, 2004 | 0.0104 AU (1.5 million km) | 11.0 km/s |
| October 10, 2006 | 1.7336 AU (259.3 million km) | 5.1 km/s |
| November 9, 2008 | 0.0502 AU (7.5 million km) | 9.2 km/s |
| December 12, 2012 | 0.0463 AU (6.9 million km) | 11.9 km/s |
| November 5, 2069 | 0.0198 AU (3.0 million km) | 8.4 km/s |
| August 28, 2112 | 1.7962 AU (268.7 million km) | 5.1 km/s |
| September 18, 2124 | 1.5127 AU (226.3 million km) | 4.3 km/s |
| September 18, 2136 | 1.3690 AU (204.8 million km) | 4.0 km/s |
| September 3, 2148 | 1.3080 AU (195.7 million km) | 3.9 km/s |
| August 7, 2160 | 1.2854 AU (192.3 million km) | 3.9 km/s |
| July 7, 2172 | 1.2782 AU (191.2 million km) | 3.9 km/s |
| June 4, 2184 | 1.2796 AU (191.4 million km) | 3.9 km/s |
| April 29, 2196 | 1.2789 AU (191.3 million km) | 3.9 km/s |
Potentially Hazardous Asteroid
4179 Toutatis (1989 AC) is classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) because it is estimated to be larger than 140 meters and its orbit comes within 0.05 AU of Earth. NASA continuously monitors this object for any future impact risk. Current data does not indicate a confirmed impact event.
Near-Earth asteroid of the Apollo and Alinda group
4179 Toutatis is an elongated, stony asteroid and slow rotator, classified as a near-Earth object and potentially hazardous asteroid of the Apollo asteroid group, approximately 2.5 kilometers in diameter. Discovered by French astronomer Christian Pollas at Caussols in 1989, the asteroid was named after Toutatis from Celtic mythology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4179 Toutatis (1989 AC) dangerous?โพ
4179 Toutatis (1989 AC) is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) by NASA. This means it is large enough and its orbit brings it close enough to Earth to warrant close monitoring. However, a PHA classification does not mean an impact is imminent.
How close will 4179 Toutatis (1989 AC) come to Earth?โพ
The closest recorded Earth approach of 4179 Toutatis (1989 AC) is 0.1545 AU (23.1 million km) on October 2, 1906, at a speed of approximately 12.3 km/s.
How big is 4179 Toutatis (1989 AC)?โพ
4179 Toutatis (1989 AC) has an estimated diameter of 3.76 km (2326โ5200 meters range). Its absolute magnitude (H) is 15.29, which NASA uses along with assumed albedo to estimate size.