324992

324992 is a near-Earth asteroid (NEA) classified as a potentially hazardous object (PHO) due to its orbit and size. Discovered on January 27, 2002, by the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program, it is designated with the provisional name 2002 JF56. The asteroid has an estimated diameter of approximately 0.6 kilometers (0.37 miles), placing it among the larger objects in the NEA population.

324992 follows an elliptical orbit around the Sun with a period of roughly 3.6 years. Its orbit brings it relatively close to Earth’s orbit, with a minimum distance (perihelion) of about 0.9 astronomical units (AU) and a maximum distance (aphelion) of 3.7 AU. The asteroid’s orbit is inclined at around 11 degrees to the ecliptic plane, the imaginary surface on which Earth’s orbit lies.

Due to its size and proximity to Earth’s orbit, 324992 is considered a PHO by NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). However, its orbit does not pose an immediate threat of collision with Earth. Observations indicate that the asteroid’s trajectory is well understood, and no significant risk of impact has been identified in the foreseeable future.

The asteroid is composed primarily of silicate materials, similar to many other NEAs, and its surface may exhibit features such as craters or regolith (loose rock and dust). While 324992 has not been extensively studied, its classification as an NEA makes it a subject of interest for astronomers monitoring Earth-approaching objects. Continued observations help refine its orbital trajectory and assess any long-term risks.