(44594) 1999 OX3

(44594) 1999 OX3 is a minor planet (asteroid) belonging to the near-Earth object (NEO) population. It was discovered on July 22, 1999, by the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program at Socorro, New Mexico.

The designation "(44594)" indicates that it is the 44,594th asteroid to have its orbit sufficiently well-determined to receive a permanent number from the Minor Planet Center. The "1999 OX3" portion of the name is a provisional designation, where "1999" represents the year of discovery, "O" denotes the half-month of discovery (July 16-31), and "X3" signifies the sequential order of discovery within that half-month.

1999 OX3 is classified as an Apollo asteroid, which means it has an orbit that crosses the Earth's orbit. Therefore, it is considered a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) because of its size and how closely its orbit approaches Earth's orbit. However, this classification is based on statistical probabilities and does not indicate an imminent collision. The orbits of PHAs are continuously monitored and refined with new observations to better assess long-term risks. The specific orbital characteristics of 1999 OX3, such as its semi-major axis, eccentricity, and inclination, define its path around the Sun and its potential for close approaches to Earth.