(3548) Eurybates

Asteroid Basics

  • Name: (3548) Eurybates
  • Location: Outer Main Belt
    • Semi-major Axis: 5.20 AU a
    • Eccentricity: 0.089
    • Inclination: 8.06°
  • Size: est 64 km (39-40 miles)
  • Type: C-type

Encounter Basics *

  • Date: August 11, 2027
  • Time of Closest Approach: 20:16 UTC (14:16 MDT)
  • Closest Approach Distance: ≤620 miles (≤1000 km)
  • Encounter Speed: 5.8 km/s
  • Distance From Earth: 5.6 AU (841 million miles, 47 light-minutes)
  • Time Since Launch: 5 years, 300 days (2125 days)
  • Full Encounter Timeline

Fun Fact *

Eurybates was named for Odysseus' squire from Homers Illiad, who was sent to retrieve Briseis from Achilles' camp during the Trojan War. Eurybates' small satellite, Queta, was named for the Mexican olympian Enriqueta Basilio. She was a hurdler and sprinter who competed at the 1968 olympics in Mexico City, and the first woman to ever light the olympic torch at the Opening Ceremony for the Olympic Games.

Banner Image: The Eurybates encounter insignia. Credit: Goddard/SwRI

Updated: Mar 11, 2025