4697344

4697344 is a numerical identifier that appears in various contexts, primarily within the realm of astronomy and space exploration. It is most notably associated with the asteroid **2001 QQ297**, a near-Earth object (NEO) discovered on August 22, 2001, by astronomers at the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program in New Mexico. The designation "4697344" is part of its provisional naming system, which includes the year of discovery and an alphanumeric sequence.

This asteroid belongs to the Apollo group, a category of near-Earth asteroids with orbits that cross Earth's path. Its orbit is highly elliptical, with a semi-major axis of approximately 1.5 astronomical units (AU) and an eccentricity of around 0.5. The object has an estimated diameter of roughly 300 meters (984 feet), though precise measurements can vary based on observational data.

Due to its proximity to Earth, 2001 QQ297 has been studied for potential future close approaches. In 2029, it is expected to pass within about 0.0002 AU (30,000 kilometers or 18,600 miles) of Earth, making it one of the closest known approaches of a large asteroid. While such encounters are monitored for scientific interest, there is currently no indication of a collision risk with Earth.

The asteroid’s designation, 4697344, is a placeholder until it receives a permanent number from the Minor Planet Center, which catalogs small solar system bodies. Its study contributes to understanding the dynamics of near-Earth objects and improving planetary defense strategies. Observations of such asteroids help refine predictions about their trajectories and potential impacts.