24724

24724 is a small asteroid that was discovered on February 28, 1998, by the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) project. It is part of the Apollo group of asteroids, which are known for their Earth-crossing orbits. The asteroid has an estimated diameter of about 1.1 kilometers, making it one of the larger near-Earth objects (NEOs).

24724 has an orbital period of approximately 1.2 years, meaning it completes one orbit around the Sun every 1.2 Earth years. Its orbit is moderately eccentric, with an eccentricity of about 0.4, and it is inclined at an angle of about 10 degrees to the ecliptic plane. The asteroid's semi-major axis is 1.5 astronomical units (AU), placing it within the inner solar system.

The asteroid's orbit brings it close to Earth on a regular basis. Its closest approach to Earth, known as the perihelion, occurs at a distance of about 0.7 AU, while its farthest point, the aphelion, is about 2.3 AU from the Sun. Despite its relatively close approaches to Earth, 24724 poses no immediate threat of impact, as its orbit is well understood and its trajectory is stable.

24724 has been the subject of some scientific interest due to its relatively large size and frequent close approaches to Earth. Astronomers have studied its orbit and physical properties to better understand the dynamics of near-Earth objects and to improve our ability to predict their future trajectories. However, as of now, there are no plans for missions to study 24724 up close, and it remains a distant object in the solar system.