(617) Patroclus and Menoetius

Asteroid Basics

• Name: (617) Patroclus and Menoetius
• Location: Outer Main Belt
• Semi-major Axis: 5.22 AU ^a
• Eccentricity: 0.139
• Inclination: 22.05°
• Size: Patroclus est 140 km (87-88 miles), Menoetius est 104 km (64-65 miles)

Encounter Basics ^*

• Date: March 3, 2033
• Time of Closest Approach: 17:24 UTC (10:24 MDT)
• Closest Approach Distance: ≤620 miles (≤1000 km)
• Encounter Speed: 5.9 km/s
• Distance From Earth: 5.2 AU (784 million miles, 44 light-minutes)
• Time Since Launch: 11 years, 141 days (4156 days)

Fun Fact ^*

Patroclus is named after the Greek hero in the Trojan War from Homers Illiad, who is the son of Argonaut Menoetius. Patroclus, as a close friend and wartime companion of Achilles, was killed by Prince Hector after diguising himself as Achilles and leading the Myrmidons in battle against the Trojans.