Itokawa
25143 · The first asteroid ever sampled.
Current distance from Earth
379,400,031km
987.0 lunar distances2.536 AU
Heliocentric orbit · top-down · live
Next close approach
2036-Jun-11
Passes 15.8 lunar distances from Earth — about 6,073,476 km, closing at 5.2 km/s.
Orbit class
Apollo
around the Sun
Orbital period
1.52 yr
554 days
Diameter
330 m
comparable to the Eiffel Tower’s height
Eccentricity
0.280
orbit shape
Inclination
1.6°
to the ecliptic
Discovered
1998
Size in perspective
≈ 1×Itokawa is about the size of the Eiffel Tower.
Observe it tonight
Apparent brightness
mag 35.2
Too faint to observe
Right ascension
4h 32m
Declination
+21° 37′
From your location
tap to check ›
Itokawa is currently faint (magnitude 35.2) — it brightens around close approaches. Position is in equatorial coordinates (J2000); pair it with our sky conditions to plan a session.
Visited by Hayabusa
JAXA’s Hayabusa returned the first asteroid surface sample in 2010.
Frequently asked questions
How close does Itokawa come to Earth?
Its next notable close approach is on 2036-Jun-11, when it passes about 15.8 lunar distances from Earth — roughly 6,073,476 km. Itokawa is currently about 987 lunar distances away — the live orbit and distance are shown above.
Is Itokawa going to hit Earth?
No impact is predicted. Itokawa is not on any impact-risk watchlist. Its trajectory is continuously refined as new observations are gathered, and predicted close approaches are calculated decades ahead. Its live position and orbit are shown above.
How big is Itokawa?
Itokawa is estimated at about 330 m across — comparable to the Eiffel Tower’s height. Size estimates are derived from how bright the asteroid appears and refined by radar and thermal measurements when it passes close to Earth.
What kind of orbit does Itokawa have?
Itokawa is Apollo (Earth-crossing) object. It orbits the Sun once every 1.52 years, on an elliptical path that reaches beyond Earth’s orbit and swings back toward the Sun. The interactive orbit diagram above shows where it is right now.
Has a spacecraft visited Itokawa?
Yes — Hayabusa. JAXA’s Hayabusa returned the first asteroid surface sample in 2010. Explore more spacecraft and missions.
Can I see Itokawa through a telescope?
Most of the time Itokawa is far too faint to see, but during a close approach it can brighten enough for amateur telescopes, and the largest near-Earth asteroids occasionally reach binocular range. Check the close-approach date above, then plan your night with our sky and space-weather tools.
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