(884793) 2017 VR12
Small near-Earth asteroid
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(884793) 2017 VR12 is a sub-kilometer asteroid with a somewhat elongated and angular shape, approximately 160 meters (500 feet) in diameter. It is classified as a near-Earth object and potentially hazardous asteroid of the Apollo or Amor group.[a] The V-type asteroid has a rotation period of approximately 1.5 hours.[5] It was first observed on 10 November 2017 by the 60-inch Pan-STARRS 1 telescope at Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii.[2][3]
(first observed only)
| |
| Discovery[2] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Pan-STARRS 1 |
| Discovery site | Haleakala Obs. |
| Discovery date | 10 November 2017 (first observed only) |
| Designations | |
| 2017 VR12 | |
| NEO · PHA Apollo[3] · Amor[2][a] | |
| Orbital characteristics[3] | |
| Epoch 23 March 2018 (JD 2458200.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 3 | |
| Observation arc | 118 days |
| Aphelion | 1.7389 AU |
| Perihelion | 1.0004 AU |
| 1.3697 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.2696 |
| 1.60 yr (585.50 d) | |
| 8.8927° | |
| 0° 36m 53.64s / day | |
| Inclination | 9.2247° |
| 347.32° | |
| 180.74° | |
| Earth MOID | 0.0077 AU (3.0 LD) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | 160 m à 100 m[4] |
| 160 m[1] | |
| 1.4 h[1] 1.5 h[5] | |
| V[1] | |
| 20.6[3] | |
Orbit and classification
It orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.0â1.7 AU once every 1 years and 7 months (585 days; semi-major axis of 1.37 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.27 and an inclination of 9° with respect to the ecliptic.[3] 2017 VR12 is a V-type asteroid with a bright surface.[1]
2017 VR12 · Mercury · Venus · Earth · Mars
2017 VR12 passed 0.0097 AU (3.76 lunar distances) from Earth on 7 March 2018, the closest approach by this asteroid currently known. It brightened to 12th magnitude, making it one of the brightest near-Earth asteroids of the year. It was observed by radar from Goldstone, Green Bank and Arecibo Observatory. Images revealed that 2017 VR12 is a slightly elongated and angular body with a size of approximately 160 by 100 meters.[1][6][4]
Physical characteristics
Images obtained at Green Bank and Arecibo observatories in 2018, revealed that 2017 VR12 is a slightly elongated and angular body with a size of approximately 160 by 100 meters.[1][6][4]
On 5 March 2018, a rotational lightcurve was obtained from photometric observations by astronomers at the Northolt Branch Observatories. Lightcurve analysis gave a rotation period of 1.5 hours with a brightness amplitude between 0.4 and 0.5 magnitude (U=n.a).[5]
Gallery
2017 VR12, imaged at Northolt Branch Observatories on 15 February 2018. The asteroid is visible at 17th magnitude at this point, at a distance of 10.4 million km (6.5 million mi) from Earth. The image is inverted (stars appear dark, the background appears light).[7]
2017 VR12 on 26 February 2018. The asteroid is visible at 15th magnitude, at a distance of 4.8 million km (3.0 million miles) from Earth. The telescope is tracking the asteroid, causing stars to trail as the asteroid slowly moves across the sky.[8]
Daily motion outside Moon's orbit.
Motion across the sky from north to south during the 6 hours around closest approach.
Notes
- It is either an Amor or an Apollo asteroid, depending on the definition of those orbital classes: JPL SBDB defines Apollo asteroids as those with a perihelion of less than 1.017 AU (smaller than Earth's aphelion),[10] while the MPC uses a threshold of 1.000 AU (Earth's semi-major axis). 2017 VR12's perihelion is 1.0004 AU.