Topic summary

3360 Syrinx

3360 Syrinx

3360 Syrinx (originally designated 1981 VA) is an Apollo and Mars crosserasteroid discovered in 1981. It approaches Earth to within 0.27 AU (40 million km; 110 LD) three times in the 21st century: 0.22 AU (33 million km; 86 LD) in 2039, 40 million km in 2070, and 0.16 AU (24 million km; 62 LD) in 2085.

On 20 September 2012, it closely encountered Earth at a distance of 0.4192 AU (62,710,000 km; 38,970,000 mi), peaking in brightness at an apparent magnitude of 17.0. In opposition on 23 November 2012, it brightened to magnitude 16.0.

It is a member of the Alinda group of asteroids with a 3:1 resonance with Jupiter that has excited the eccentricity of the orbit over the eons. As an Alinda asteroid it makes approaches to Jupiter, Earth, and Venus.

For a time, it was the lowest numbered asteroid that had not been named. In November 2006, this distinction passed to 3708 Socus, and in May 2021 to (4596) 1981 QB.