(467336) 2002 LT38
Near-Earth asteroid
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(467336) 2002 LT38, is a sub-kilometer asteroid and suspected tumbler, classified as a near-Earth object and potentially hazardous asteroid of the Aten group, approximately 240 meters (790 ft) in diameter. It was discovered on 12 June 2002, by astronomers of the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research at the Lincoln Laboratory's Experimental Test Site near Socorro, New Mexico, in the United States.[2]
| Discovery[1][2] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | LINEAR |
| Discovery site | Lincoln Lab's ETS |
| Discovery date | 12 June 2002 |
| Designations | |
| (467336) 2002 LT38 | |
| 2002 LT38 | |
| NEO · Aten · PHA[1][2] | |
| Orbital characteristics[1] | |
| Epoch 23 March 2018 (JD 2458200.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 0 | |
| Observation arc | 14.09 yr (5,148 days) |
| Aphelion | 1.1103 AU |
| Perihelion | 0.5799 AU |
| 0.8451 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.3138 |
| 0.78 yr (284 days) | |
| 316.03° | |
| 1° 16m 7.32s / day | |
| Inclination | 6.1959° |
| 259.41° | |
| 162.73° | |
| Earth MOID | 0.0344 AU (13.4 LD) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| 0.236 km (calculated)[3] 0.240 km (est. at 0.20)[4] | |
| 21.80±0.05 h[5][a] | |
| 0.20 (assumed)[3] | |
| S (assumed)[3] | |
| 20.5[1][3] | |
Orbit and classification
2002 LT38 orbits the Sun at a distance of 0.6â1.1 AU once every 9 months (284 days; semi-major axis of 0.85 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.31 and an inclination of 6° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]
The body's observation arc begins with a precovery taken at AMOS on 10 June 2002, two nights prior to its official discovery observation at Lincoln Lab's ETS.[2]
Close approaches
2002 LT38 has an Earth minimum orbital intersection distance of 0.0344 AU (5,150,000 km) which corresponds to 13.4 lunar distances.[1] It will pass at that distance during its close encounter with Earth on 27 June 2030.[1]
Physical characteristics
The asteroid is an assumed stony S-type asteroid.[3]
Rotation period
In July 2016, a first rotational lightcurve of 2002 LT38 was obtained from photometric observations by American astronomer Brian Warner at his Palmer Divide Station in California (U82). Lightcurve analysis gave a longer-than average rotation period of 21.80 hours with a brightness variation of 1.16 magnitude (U=2+).[5][a] A high brightness amplitude typically indicates that the body has a non-spherical, elongated shape. It is also a suspected tumbler.[5]
Diameter and albedo
The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes a standard albedo for stony asteroids of 0.20 and calculates a diameter of 0.236 kilometers based on an absolute magnitude of 20.5.[3]
Numbering and naming
This minor planet was numbered by the Minor Planet Center on 21 May 2016, after its orbit determination became sufficiently secure (M.P.C. 100286).[8] As of 2018, it has not been named.[2]
Notes
- Lightcurve plot of (467336) 2002 LT38 by Brian Warner, Palmer Divide Station, California (2016). Rotation period 21.80±0.05 hours with a brightness amplitude of 1.16±0.05 mag. Quality Code of 2+. Summary figures at the LCDB. Observers comment: "There may be some indications of tumbling in the lightcurve, for example, the 'break' in the Fourier curve around 0.45 rotation phase".
