1999XC12

1999XC12 is a near-Earth asteroid that was discovered on December 11, 1999, by the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program. It belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids, which are characterized by their orbits that cross the orbit of Earth. Its orbit is highly elliptical and inclined relative to the plane of the Earth's orbit.

The asteroid's size is estimated to be between 100 and 300 meters in diameter. Its composition is thought to be stony, similar to other S-type asteroids. Although it is classified as a near-Earth object, 1999XC12 does not currently pose a significant threat of impact with Earth. Its orbit is well-tracked, and its closest approaches to Earth are monitored by space agencies.

As with many newly discovered asteroids, ongoing observations are being conducted to refine its orbital parameters and learn more about its physical characteristics. Such observations help in the broader effort to catalog and understand the population of near-Earth objects. The potential for future close approaches or changes in its orbit over very long timescales are subjects of continued astronomical study.