2017 VL2
LD) | |
| Physical characteristics | |
|---|---|
| 18 m (est. at 0.20)[3] 6–32 m (estimate)[4] | |
| 26.079[1] | |
2017 VL2 is a micro-asteroid, classified as a near-Earth object of the Apollo group. It was first observed by ATLAS at Mauna Loa Observatory on 10 November 2017, a day after it passed inside the orbit of Earth.[2][5]
Orbit and classification
2017 VL2 is an
aphelion of 1.51 AU is less than the orbit of the Red Planet at 1.666 AU.[1]
Close approaches
The object has a
lunar distances of the Earth (see diagrams).[5]
Path of 2017 VL2 as it passed inside Earth's orbit on 9 November 2017 (left). The object's path in the sky with 1 hour of motion on 9 November 2017 (right).
Physical characteristics
2017 VL2 has been estimated to measure between 6 and 32 meters in diameter,albedo of 0.20, which is typical for the common S-type asteroids, 2017 VL2's diameter would be likely 18 meters only.[3] The size of asteroid 2017 VL2 has been described as that of a whale.[6][7]
As of 2018, no rotational
Numbering and naming
This minor planet has not yet been numbered by the Minor Planet Center and remains unnamed.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2017 VL2)" (2017-11-26 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- ^ a b c "2017 VL2". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- ^ a b "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS NASA/JPL. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
- ^ a b "A huge asteroid zoomed terrifyingly close to Earth and Nasa didn't see it coming". Metro. 8 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ a b "Asteroid 2017 VL2 close approach – International Asteroid Warning Network". iawn.net. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ Hamill, Jasper (8 December 2017). "A huge asteroid zoomed terrifyingly close to Earth and Nasa didn't see it coming". Metro. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ "Astronomers launch new asteroid-classification system based on animal sizes". Physics World. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ "LCDB Data for (2017 VL2) – Not in Data Base". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 7 February 2018.
External links
- MPEC 2017-V67 : 2017 VL2 minor planet center
- 2017 VL2 at NeoDyS-2, Near Earth Objects—Dynamic Site
- 2017 VL2 at ESA–space situational awareness
- 2017 VL2 at the JPL Small-Body Database
