(884793) 2017 VR12

(884793) 2017 VR12
Goldstone/Green Bank Telescope radar images of 2017 VR12[1]
Discovery[2]
Discovered byPan-STARRS 1
Discovery siteHaleakala Obs.
Discovery date10 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 arc118 days
Aphelion1.7389 AU
Perihelion1.0004 AU
1.3697 AU
Eccentricity0.2696
1.60 yr (585.50 d)
8.8927°
0° 36m 53.64s / day
Inclination9.2247°
347.32°
180.74°
Earth MOID0.0077 AU (3.0 LD)
Physical characteristics
Dimensions160 m × 100 m[4]
160 m[1]
1.4 h[1]
1.5 h[5]
V[1]
20.6[3]

(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]

Orbit and classification

It orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.0–1.7 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 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]

  • 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]
  • 2017 VR12 on 5 March 2018, two days before closest approach. The asteroid was 1.9 million km (1.2 million mi) from Earth at that time, visible at 13th magnitude.[9][6]
  • Daily motion outside Moon's orbit.
  • Motion across the sky from north to south during the 6 hours around closest approach.

Notes

  1. ^ a b 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.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Goldstone Radar Observations Planning: Asteroid 2017 VR12". NASA. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "(884793) = 2017 VR12". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2017 VR12)" (2018-02-28 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  4. ^ a b c #TeamRadar at @NAICobservatory observed asteroid 2017 VR12 last night. 3:05 PM - 6 Mar 2018
  5. ^ a b c Wells, G.; Bamberger, D. (5 March 2018). "Lightcurve of 2017 VR12". Northolt Branch Observatories. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  6. ^ a b c Hignett, Katherine (6 March 2018). "2017 VR12: Asteroid Could Be Bigger Than the Empire State Building—Here's How to See It". newsweek.com. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  7. ^ "Near Earth asteroid 2017 VR12". Northolt Branch Observatories. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  8. ^ "Near Earth asteroids 2017 VR12, (505657) 2014 SR339 and (508871) 2003 CN17". Northolt Branch Observatories. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  9. ^ "Near Earth asteroid 2017 VR12". Northolt Branch Observatories. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  10. ^ "NEO Groups". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 12 March 2018.

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