> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://space-axolotls.gitbook.io/space-axolotls-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://space-axolotls.gitbook.io/space-axolotls-docs/api-documentation/neows-nasa-near-earth-object-web-service.md).

# NEOWS (NASA Near Earth Object Web Service)

### Base Endpoint

To get detailed information about a specific NEO (Near Earth Object), use the following endpoint:

```
http://api.nasa.gov/neo/rest/v1/neo/{neo_id}?api_key=YOUR_API_KEY
```

This endpoint returns the specified object's physical and orbital properties, as well as its close-approach data.

***

### 1. General NEO Information

This section contains the object's identifiers and general characteristics.

| Field                               | Type   | Description                                                     |
| ----------------------------------- | ------ | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `id`                                | string | The internal identifier for the NEO in the JPL database.        |
| `neo_reference_id`                  | string | A unique reference identifier for the NEO.                      |
| `name`                              | string | The official name of the NEO.                                   |
| `designation`                       | string | A provisional or alternative designation.                       |
| `nasa_jpl_url`                      | string | The URL to the JPL Small-Body Database for this NEO.            |
| `absolute_magnitude_h`              | float  | The absolute magnitude (H), used to estimate the object's size. |
| `is_potentially_hazardous_asteroid` | bool   | Indicates whether the NEO is considered potentially hazardous.  |

***

### 2. Estimated Diameter (`estimated_diameter`)

This object contains the estimated diameter range of the NEO in different metric and imperial units.

| Sub-field                           | Type  | Description                               |
| ----------------------------------- | ----- | ----------------------------------------- |
| `kilometers.estimated_diameter_min` | float | Minimum estimated diameter in kilometers. |
| `kilometers.estimated_diameter_max` | float | Maximum estimated diameter in kilometers. |
| `meters.estimated_diameter_min/max` | float | Estimated diameter in meters.             |
| `miles.estimated_diameter_min/max`  | float | Estimated diameter in miles.              |
| `feet.estimated_diameter_min/max`   | float | Estimated diameter in feet.               |

***

### 3. Close Approach Data (`close_approach_data`)

A list containing all recorded close approaches of the NEO to other planetary bodies.

| Field                       | Type   | Description                                                                                 |
| --------------------------- | ------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `close_approach_date`       | string | The date of the close approach in `YYYY-MM-DD` format.                                      |
| `close_approach_date_full`  | string | The full date and time of the close approach.                                               |
| `epoch_date_close_approach` | int    | The date of the event in epoch format (milliseconds since 1970).                            |
| `relative_velocity`         | object | Relative velocity to the body in km/s, km/h, and mph.                                       |
| `miss_distance`             | object | Minimum distance to the body in astronomical units, kilometers, miles, and lunar distances. |
| `orbiting_body`             | string | The main body around which the close approach occurs (e.g., "Earth").                       |

***

### 4. Orbital Data (`orbital_data`)

This object contains all the orbital parameters that define the NEO's trajectory.

| Field                          | Type   | Description                                                                            |
| ------------------------------ | ------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `orbit_id`                     | string | A unique identifier for the orbital solution.                                          |
| `orbit_determination_date`     | string | The date the orbit was determined.                                                     |
| `first_observation_date`       | string | The date of the first observation used for the calculation.                            |
| `last_observation_date`        | string | The date of the last observation used.                                                 |
| `data_arc_in_days`             | int    | The duration of the observation arc in days.                                           |
| `observations_used`            | int    | The total number of observations used.                                                 |
| `orbit_uncertainty`            | string | The orbit uncertainty code (where `0` is very certain).                                |
| `minimum_orbit_intersection`   | float  | The Minimum Orbit Intersection Distance (MOID) with Earth in astronomical units (AU).  |
| `jupiter_tisserand_invariant`  | float  | Tisserand's invariant with respect to Jupiter, used for classification.                |
| `epoch_osculation`             | float  | The epoch of osculation in Julian Days (JD).                                           |
| `eccentricity (e)`             | float  | The eccentricity of the orbit.                                                         |
| `semi_major_axis (a)`          | float  | The semi-major axis in astronomical units (AU).                                        |
| `inclination (i)`              | float  | The orbital inclination in degrees.                                                    |
| `ascending_node_longitude (Ω)` | float  | The longitude of the ascending node in degrees.                                        |
| `perihelion_distance (q)`      | float  | The distance to the perihelion in astronomical units (AU).                             |
| `perihelion_argument (w)`      | float  | The argument of perihelion in degrees.                                                 |
| `aphelion_distance (Q)`        | float  | The distance to the aphelion in astronomical units (AU).                               |
| `perihelion_time (tp)`         | float  | The epoch of the perihelion in Julian Days (JD).                                       |
| `mean_anomaly (M)`             | float  | The mean anomaly in degrees.                                                           |
| `mean_motion (n)`              | float  | The mean motion in degrees per day.                                                    |
| `orbital_period`               | float  | The orbital period in days.                                                            |
| `equinox`                      | string | The reference epoch for the coordinates (usually J2000).                               |
| `orbit_class`                  | object | The orbit class with a description and orbital range.                                  |
| `is_sentry_object`             | bool   | Indicates if the object is being monitored by the Sentry program (future impact risk). |


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://space-axolotls.gitbook.io/space-axolotls-docs/api-documentation/neows-nasa-near-earth-object-web-service.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
