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AsteriaStar
Minor-planet group

Mars-Crossing Asteroids

Asteroids whose orbits cross that of Mars.

Minor-planet group

Overview

Asteroids on orbits that cross the path of Mars, dynamically linked to the inner edge of the main belt.

Members

2 modelled members.

  • 132 Aethra

    The first Mars-crossing asteroid discovered — its orbit crosses that of Mars.

    CategoryMain beltTypeMetallic (M)Diameter42 kmDiscovered1873
  • 4179 ToutatisPHA

    An elongated near-Earth asteroid in a chaotic, tumbling rotation, flown past by China's Chang'e 2 in 2012; it crosses both Earth's and Mars's orbits.

    CategoryNear-EarthTypeSilicaceous (S)Diameter≈ 4.75 × 2.4 × 1.95 kmDiscovered1989

Knowledge connections

Sources

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

  • NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.

    Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.

  • NASA JPLJet Propulsion Laboratory / Solar System Dynamics

    Orbital data, ephemerides, and small-body parameters for planets, asteroids, and comets.