1998 KY26

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1998 KY26
Synodic rotation period
0.1782 h[6]
0.1784 h[5][7]
0.12[5]
0.124 (derived)[4]
X[4]
B–R=0.083±0.070[5]
V–R=0.058±0.055[5]
R–I=0.088±0.053[5]
25.5±0.3[1][4][5]

1998 KY26 is a nearly

rotational period of only 10.7 minutes. It was first observed on 2 June 1998, by the Spacewatch survey at Kitt Peak National Observatory during 6 days during which it passed 800,000 kilometers (half a million miles) away from Earth (a little more than twice the Earth–Moon distance).[2][3]

The object's orbit is well known, since it was recovered in 2002 by the Hawaiian Observatory, and it was most recently observed, from 10 till 15 December 2020, by the

Mauna Kea observatories.[8]

Orbit and classification

1998 KY26 orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.0–1.5 

lunar distances.[1]

As a result, it is one of the most easily accessible objects in the Solar System,[9] and its orbit frequently brings it on a path very similar to the optimum Earth–Mars transfer orbit.[1] This, coupled with its high water content, makes it an attractive target for further study and a potential source of water for future missions to Mars.[10]

Physical properties

The physical properties of this object were measured by an international team of

radar telescope in California and optical telescopes in the Czech Republic, Hawaii, Arizona and California
.

1998 KY26 is characterized as a potentially metallic X-type asteroid.[4] Optical and radar observations indicate that it is a water-rich object.[10]

From

rotational rates have periods measured in hours.[5] As a result, it cannot possibly be a rubble pile, as many asteroids are thought to be, and must instead be a monolithic object.[6][5][7] It was the first such object to be discovered, but since 1998, several other small asteroids
have been found to also have short rotation periods, some even faster than 1998 KY26.

Exploration

Animation of Hayabusa2 orbit - Extended mission
  Hayabusa2 ·   162173 Ryugu ·   Earth ·   Sun ·   2001 CC21 ·   1998 KY26

In September 2020, a mission extension for

sample return probe was selected to do additional flybys of two near-Earth asteroids: (98943) 2001 CC21 in July 2026 and a rendezvous with 1998 KY26 in July 2031. The rendezvous with 1998 KY26 will be the first visit of a rapidly rotating micro-asteroid.[11] This will also make 1998 KY26 the smallest object to ever be studied by a spacecraft.[12]

Further reading

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (1998 KY26)" (2020-12-12 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  2. ^ a b "1998 KY26". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Spacewatch discovery of 1998 KY26". SPACEWATCH Project. 7 April 2004. Archived from the original on 1 July 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e "LCDB Data for (1998 KY26)". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  5. ^
    PMID 10417379
    .
  6. ^
    Bibcode:1998DPS....30.1006H
    .
  7. ^
    Bibcode:1998IAUC.6941....2P
    .
  8. ^ "MPEC 2020-X181 : 1998 KY26". Minor Planet Electronic Circular. Minor Planet Center. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  9. ^ "1998 KY26". Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  10. ^ a b "Astronomy Picture of the Day: Asteroid 1998 KY26". NASA. 19 September 2002. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  11. ^ Gough, Evan (25 September 2020). "Hayabusa2's Mission isn't Over. It has a New Asteroid Target to Visit: 1998 KY26". Universe Today. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  12. ^ "1998 Ky26".

External links

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