Contents on 20 January '09
- IAU Minor Planet Center
- NEOCP Activity -- nine listings: 4 new, 5 updated
- New MPECs -- twelve MPECs
- Observers -- 23 observing facilities
- Impact Risk Monitoring -- four objects
- Chronology
Resources:
- Consolidated Risk Tables - the CRT page
- Earth's Busy Neighborhood Traffic Report
- Ephemerides for risk-rated and nearby objects
- Old & new CRT Archive
- Old News Archive & Small Objects Archive
The latest A/CC news is available via framed access,
RSS news feed, or redirection. - Note: A/CC has a main Web site and also a backup site with its own duplicate RSS news feed.
Navigation tips: Use the << and >> arrows on the menus for each regular section (Observers, Risks, etc.) to move to the previous and next day's news for that section. Use the Index menu item to access specific days through a calendar interface. And use the all-up news archive to access news from any time since A/CC began in early 2002. To keep track of what's new each day, watch the Chronology section.
NEOCP Activity on 20 January '09
The MPC's NEO Confirmation Page has 9 listings: 4 new, 5 updated
When last checked at 2358 UTC today, the Minor Planet Center's Near Earth Object discovery Confirmation Page (NEOCP) had four new and five updated listings. All of these were "one nighters." So far The Tracking News has counted a total of 37 objects listed on the NEOCP at some point today.
To learn how observers use the NEOCP, see the Practical guide on how to observe NEOCP object by Birtwhistle et al. at Suno Observatory.
New MPECs on 20 January '09
Minor Planet Electronic Circulars
As of last check at 2358 UTC, there have been twelve MPECs posted today from the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- MPEC 2009-B20 time-stamped "07:05 UT" - Daily Orbit Update - see below
- MPEC 2009-B21 time-stamped "17:14 UT" - 2009 AU16 - see below
- MPEC 2009-B22 time-stamped "18:40 UT" - 2009 BE2 - see below
- MPEC 2009-B23 time-stamped "18:43 UT" - 2009 BF2 - see below
- MPEC 2009-B24 time-stamped "18:46 UT" - 2009 BG2 - see below
- MPEC 2009-B25 time-stamped "18:48 UT" - 2009 BH2 - see below
- MPEC 2009-B26 time-stamped "18:51 UT" - 2009 BJ2 - see below
- MPEC 2009-B27 time-stamped "18:57 UT" - 2009 BK2 - see below
- MPEC 2009-B28 time-stamped "19:02 UT" - 2009 BL2 - see below
- MPEC 2009-B29 time-stamped "19:05 UT" - 2009 BM2 - see below
- MPEC 2009-B30 time-stamped "19:07 UT" - 2009 BN2 - see below
- MPEC 2009-B31 time-stamped "23:17 UT" - 2009 BW2
MPEC 2009-B31 - "23:17 UT" - 2009 BW2
- K09B02W 2009 BW2 (small asteroid, Earth MOID=6.7 LD, H=25.0 ~34m) was discovered at 0706 UT on 20 Jan. by the Catalina Sky Survey (CSS), which observed it at Jan. 20.30-31p4. The discovery was confirmed by Magdalena Ridge Obs. (MRO) (Jan. 20.34-36p5), Sabino Canyon Obs. (Jan. 20.35p3), and Great Shefford Obs. (Jan. 20.95-96p3). This object will be coming within ten lunar distances (LD) of Earth, reaching 8.7 LD on 6 Feb.
MPEC 2009-B30 - "19:07 UT" - 2009 BN2
- K09B02N 2009 BN2 (small asteroid, Earth MOID=2.9 LD, H=24.8 ~37m) was discovered at 1240 UT on 18 Jan. by the Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS), which observed it at Jan. 18.53-55p8 and 20.44-47p4. The discovery was confirmed by MRO (Jan. 19.46-49p5, 20.47p1 & 20.54-55p2).
MPEC 2009-B29 - "19:05 UT" - 2009 BM2
- K09B02M 2009 BM2 (Q=4.285 AU, H=19.7 ~389m) was discovered at 0759 UT on 18 Jan. by CSS, which observed it at Jan. 18.33-35p4 and 18.40-41p2. The discovery was confirmed by Sabino Canyon Obs. (Jan. 18.40p3), MRO (Jan. 18.43-45p6, 19.33-34p4 & 20.40-42p3), Great Shefford Obs. (Jan. 18.91-92p3), Calar Alto Obs. (Jan. 18.93p3), Ernesto Guido via RAS Obs. Mayhill (Jan. 19.43-48p4), MLS (Jan. 20.35-38p4), Kline Obs. (Jan. 20.37-38p3), and Moriyama Obs. (Jan. 20.61-62p2).
MPEC 2009-B28 - "19:02 UT" - 2009 BL2
- K09B02L 2009 BL2 (H=19.5 ~426m) was discovered at 0650 UT on 18 Jan. by LINEAR, which observed it at Jan. 18.29-32p4. The discovery was confirmed by Calar Alto Obs. (Jan. 19.11p3), MRO (Jan. 19.16-18p4 & 20.25-26p3), Great Shefford Obs. (Jan. 19.87-88p3), Sabino Canyon Obs. (Jan. 20.24-25p3), MLS (Jan. 20.27-30p3), and Jim Bedient via Faulkes Telescope North (Jan. 20.34-37p3).
MPEC 2009-B27 - "18:57 UT" - 2009 BK2
- K09B02K 2009 BK2 (small asteroid, Earth MOID=10.0 LD, H=25.2 ~31m) was discovered at 0620 UT on 18 Jan. by MLS, which observed it at Jan. 18.26-33p7 at V=21.3-22.8. The discovery was confirmed by MRO (Jan. 18.38-40p3, 19.23-26p3 & 20.27-28p3).
MPEC 2009-B26 - "18:51 UT" - 2009 BJ2
- K09B02J 2009 BJ2 (small asteroid, Earth MOID=4.3 LD, H=27.1 ~13m) was discovered at 0619 UT on 18 Jan. by CSS, which observed it at Jan. 18.26-33p7. The discovery was confirmed by Sabino Canyon Obs. (Jan. 18.32p3), MRO (Jan. 18.33-36p5, 18.47-48p4, 19.28-29p6 & 20.21-23p3), and Great Shefford Obs. (Jan. 18.92-93p3 & 19.89-91p4). This object is now within ten lunar distances (LD) of Earth, reaching 4.7 LD on 21 Jan.
MPEC 2009-B25 - "18:48 UT" - 2009 BH2
- K09B02H 2009 BH2 (small asteroid, Earth MOID=0.2 LD, H=22.3 ~117m) was discovered at 0916 UT on 17 Jan. by LINEAR, which observed it at Jan. 17.39-42p4 and 18.46-51p5. The discovery was confirmed by Calar Alto Obs. (Jan. 18.21p2), Sabino Canyon Obs. (Jan. 18.24p2), Sandlot Obs. (Jan. 18.39p4), MRO (Jan. 18.49-50p5, 19.35-38p4 & 19.50-51p3), Tenagra II Obs. (Jan. 19.49p3), Great Shefford Obs. (Jan. 20.03-04p3), and Moriyama Obs. (Jan. 20.65p3).
MPEC 2009-B24 - "18:46 UT" - 2009 BG2
- K09B02G 2009 BG2 (Q=4.377 AU, H=20.2 ~309m) was discovered at 0209 UT on 17 Jan. by MLS, which observed it at Jan. 17.09-15p12 at V=20.3-22.1 and 18.12-13p4 at V=21.4-21.6. The discovery was confirmed by Calar Alto Obs. (Jan. 17.82-83p3) and MRO (Jan. 18.13p4).
MPEC 2009-B23 - "18:43 UT" - 2009 BF2
- K09B02F 2009 BF2 (small asteroid, Earth MOID=3.8 LD, H=25.8 ~23m) was discovered at 0904 UT on 16 Jan. by LINEAR, which observed it at Jan. 16.38-43p4, 17.40-45p5, and 19.39-43p4. The discovery was confirmed by Calar Alto Obs. (Jan. 18.17p3), Sabino Canyon Obs. (Jan. 18.23p3), MRO (Jan. 18.23-29p5, 19.37-38p5 & 19.52-53p3), Sandlot Obs. (Jan. 18.34-37p3), Tenagra II Obs. (Jan. 19.45p2), and Great Shefford Obs. (Jan. 20.03p3). This object is now within ten lunar distances (LD) of Earth, reaching 7.9 LD on 19 Jan.
MPEC 2009-B22 - "18:40 UT" - 2009 BE2
- K09B02E 2009 BE2 (risk-listed, H=19.0 ~537m) was discovered at 0617 UT on 16 Jan. by the Spacewatch 1.8m telescope, which observed it at Jan. 16.26-27p3 at V=21.5-21.7, 17.10-11p3 at V=22.1-6, 18.27-28p3 at V=22.8, and 20.22-23p3. The discovery was confirmed by Astronomical Research Obs. (ARO) (Jan. 17.02-05p3 at V=22.0-22.3), MRO (Jan. 17.24-25p5, 18.16-17p3, 19.19-21p3 & 20.13-14p3), and Calar Alto Obs. (Jan. 18.03p1).
MPEC 2009-B21 - "17:14 UT" - 2009 AU16
- K09A16U 2009 AU16 (i=70.5°, q=1.947 AU, Q=79.937 AU, H=16.0 ~2.14 km) was discovered at 1314 UT on 6 Jan. by the Siding Spring Survey (SSS), which observed it at Jan. 6.55-69p8, 8.55p1, 8.71p1, 13.47-48p2, 14.57p1, 16.59-60p2, 18.51p1, and 19.65-66p2. The discovery was confirmed by Hibiscus Obs. (Jan. 8.29-32p3).
<< DOU on 20 Jan. '09 >> MPEC 2009-B20 - "07:05 UT" - Daily Orbit Update
- Observations of risk-listed objects
- K09B00E 2009 BE (small asteroid, arc=4 days, H=26.0 ~21m) from Great Shefford Obs. (Jan. 19.96-97p5)
- K09B00D 2009 BD (small asteroid, arc=4 days, H=28.8 ~6m) from Great Shefford Obs. (Jan. 19.86-87p4) and CSS (Jan. 20.24-25p3)
- K09A00L 2009 AL (almost small, Q=4.144 AU, arc=19 days, H=21.8 ~148m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Jan. 20.16-17p3)
- Observations of recently (no longer) risk-listed objects
- K09A15M 2009 AM15 (arc=13 days, H=18.6 ~645m) from SSS (Jan. 19.64p2)
- K08Y32U 2008 YU32 (arc=20 days, H=19.9 ~355m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Jan. 20.12-13p3)
- K08Y30T 2008 YT30 (arc=20 days, H=19.3 ~467m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Jan. 20.23-25p3)
- Observations of small asteroids (H>22.0)
- K09B00G 2009 BG (arc=3 days, H=25.5 ~27m) from Tenagra II Obs. (Jan. 19.50p3)
- Observations of other objects
- K09A16G 2009 AG16 (arc=4 days, H=21.2 ~195m) from Tenagra II Obs. (Jan. 19.49-50p3)
- K09A16D 2009 AD16 (Q=4.203 AU, arc=4 days, H=20.5 ~269m) from Jim Young via Table Mtn. Obs. (Jan. 19.22-24p4) and Hamamatsu-Yuto Obs. (Jan. 19.59-65p7)
- K09A15K 2009 AK15 (arc=13 days, H=19.5 ~426m) from SSS (Jan. 19.57p1)
- K08X00N 2008 XN (arc=49 days, H=21.4 ~178m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Jan. 20.14-15p3)
- K08W32K 2008 WK32 (arc=60 days, H=19.3 ~467m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Jan. 20.19-21p2)
- K08W13Z 2008 WZ13 (arc=61 days, H=18.7 ~616m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Jan. 20.18-21p3)
- K08U07E 2008 UE7 (arc=60 days, H=20.4 ~282m) from Betelgeuse Station (Nov. 27.02-03p7)
- K08S07X 2008 SX7 (arc=121 days, H=18.4 ~708m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Jan. 20.11p3)
- K08E05V 2008 EV5 (arc=2 opp, H=20.0 ~339m) from Hamamatsu-Yuto Obs. (Jan. 19.53-56p7)
- K06SL7Z 2006 SZ217 (arc=3 opp, H=17.4 ~1.12 km) from Betelgeuse Sta. (Nov. 27.00-01p7)
- K06A02S 2006 AS2 (arc=4 opp, H=20.3 ~295m) from La Sagra Obs. (Jan. 18.01-03p3)
- K05YC8X 2005 YX128 (arc=2 opp, H=18.9 ~562m) from MLS (Jan. 19.14-15p4)
- K05T51Z 2005 TZ51 (arc=3 opp, H=17.9 ~891m) from Betelgeuse Sta. (Nov. 26.89-90p3)
- K05N01J 2005 NJ1 (arc=4 opp, H=18.6 ~645m) from LINEAR (Jan. 19.41-45p4)
- K05B00C 2005 BC (arc=2 opp, H=18.0 ~851m) from Hamamatsu-Yuto Obs. (Jan. 19.66-70p8)
- K02E03B 2002 EB3 (arc=5 opp, H=17.7 ~977m) from MLS (Jan. 19.53-54p4)
- J4386 194386 2001 VG5 from LINEAR (Jan. 19.14-19p5)
- I7026 187026 2005 EK70 from LINEAR (Jan. 19.44-49p4)
- G2900 162900 2001 HG31 from Betelgeuse Sta. (Nov. 26.99p3)
- F5334 155334 2006 DZ169 from MLS (Jan. 19.53-54p4)
- D6849 136849 1998 CS1 from Siegen Obs. (Jan. 6.99-00p3 & 8.98-99p3)
- 85867 85867 1999 BY9 from LINEAR (Jan. 19.34-38p4)
- 53430 53430 1999 TY16 from Betelgeuse Sta. (Nov. 26.98p3)
- 36284 36284 2000 DM8 from CSS (Jan. 19.50-51p4)
- 07358 7358 Oze (1995 YA3) from La Sagra Obs. (Jan. 17.87-90p3)
- 04179 4179 Toutatis (1989 AC) from Siegen Obs. (Jan. 7.01-02p3, 8.99-00p3 & 15.83-84p3) and La Sagra Obs. (Jan. 18.04-07p3)
- 03200 3200 Phaethon (1983 TB) from Cyclops Obs. (Jan. 18.81p1 & 18.86p1)
- 03199 3199 Nefertiti (1982 RA) from LINEAR (Jan. 19.40-45p5)
- 01864 1864 Daedalus (1971 FA) from Siegen Obs. (Jan. 15.81-82p3)
- 01627 1627 Ivar (1929 SH) from Betelgeuse Sta. (Nov. 26.95-96p3) and LINEAR (Jan. 19.14-16p3)
- 01620 1620 Geographos (1951 RA) from Betelgeuse Sta. (Nov. 26.91p3)
Observers on 20 January '09
A total of 23 observing facilities appear in today's MPECs.
| Code | Observer / observatory |
|---|---|
| H55 | Astronomical Research Obs. in Illinois, 1 in MPEC 2009-B22 -- 2009 BE2 |
| B75 | Betelgeuse Station in Italy, 7 in MPEC 2009-B20 -- 2008 UE7, 2006 SZ217, 2005 TZ51, 53430, 162900, 1627, 1620 |
| 493 | Calar Alto Obs. in Spain, 6 in MPECs 2009-B22, 2009-B23, 2009-B24, 2009-B25, 2009-B28 & 2009-B29 -- 2009 BM2, 2009 BL2, 2009 BH2, 2009 BG2, 2009 BF2, 2009 BE2 |
| 703 | Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) in Arizona, 5 in MPECs 2009-B20, 2009-B26, 2009-B29 & 2009-B31 -- 2009 BW2, 2009 BM2, 2009 BJ2, 2009 BD, 36284 |
| B84 | Cyclops Obs. in The Netherlands, 1 in MPEC 2009-B20 -- 3200 |
| F654 | Jim Bedient in Hawaii via Faulkes Telescope North in Hawaii, 1 in MPEC 2009-B28 -- 2009 BL2 |
| J95 | Great Shefford Obs. in England, 8 in MPECs 2009-B20, 2009-B23, 2009-B25, 2009-B26, 2009-B28, 2009-B29 & 2009-B31 -- 2009 BW2, 2009 BM2, 2009 BL2, 2009 BJ2, 2009 BH2, 2009 BF2, 2009 BE, 2009 BD |
| 379 | Hamamatsu-Yuto Obs. in Japan, 3 in MPEC 2009-B20 -- 2009 AD16, 2008 EV5, 2005 BC |
| F84 | Hibiscus Obs. in Tahiti, 1 in MPEC 2009-B21 -- 2009 AU16 |
| H05 | Kline Obs. in Colorado, 1 in MPEC 2009-B29 -- 2009 BM2 |
| 704 | LINEAR in New Mexico, 9 in MPECs 2009-B20, 2009-B23, 2009-B25 & 2009-B28 -- 2009 BL2, 2009 BH2, 2009 BF2, 2005 NJ1, 85867, 194386, 187026, 3199, 1627 |
| J75 | La Sagra Obs. in Spain, 3 in MPEC 2009-B20 -- 2006 AS2, 7358, 4179 |
| H01 | Magdalena Ridge Obs. (MRO) in New Mexico, 10 in MPECs 2009-B22, 2009-B23, 2009-B24, 2009-B25, 2009-B26, 2009-B27, 2009-B28, 2009-B29, 2009-B30 & 2009-B31 -- 2009 BW2, 2009 BN2, 2009 BM2, 2009 BL2, 2009 BK2, 2009 BJ2, 2009 BH2, 2009 BG2, 2009 BF2, 2009 BE2 |
| 900 | Moriyama Obs. in Japan, 2 in MPECs 2009-B25 & 2009-B29 -- 2009 BM2, 2009 BH2 |
| G96 | Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS) in Arizona, 8 in MPECs 2009-B20, 2009-B24, 2009-B27, 2009-B28, 2009-B29 & 2009-B30 -- 2009 BN2, 2009 BM2, 2009 BL2, 2009 BK2, 2009 BG2, 2005 YX128, 2002 EB3, 155334 |
| H06% | Ernesto Guido in Italy via RAS Obs. Mayhill in New Mexico, 1 in MPEC 2009-B29 -- 2009 BM2 |
| 854 | Sabino Canyon Obs. in Arizona, 6 in MPECs 2009-B23, 2009-B25, 2009-B26, 2009-B28, 2009-B29 & 2009-B31 -- 2009 BW2, 2009 BM2, 2009 BL2, 2009 BJ2, 2009 BH2, 2009 BF2 |
| H36 | Sandlot Obs. in Kansas, 2 in MPECs 2009-B23 & 2009-B25 -- 2009 BH2, 2009 BF2 |
| E12 | Siding Spring Survey (SSS) in New South Wales, 3 in MPECs 2009-B20 & 2009-B21 -- 2009 AU16, 2009 AM15, 2009 AK15 |
| 510 | Siegen Obs. in Germany, 3 in MPEC 2009-B20 -- 136849, 4179, 1864 |
| 291 | Spacewatch 1.8m telescope in Arizona, 8 in MPECs 2009-B20 & 2009-B22 -- 2009 BE2, 2009 AL, 2008 YU32, 2008 YT30, 2008 XN, 2008 WZ13, 2008 WK32, 2008 SX7 |
| 6735 | Jim Young via Table Mtn. Obs. in southern California, 1 in MPEC 2009-B20 -- 2009 AD16 |
| 926 | Tenagra II Obs. in Arizona, 4 in MPECs 2009-B20, 2009-B23 & 2009-B25 -- 2009 BH2, 2009 BG, 2009 BF2, 2009 AG16 |
| For a list of all participating observatories that have Web addresses, see A/CC's Observatory Links page. | |
Impact Risk Monitoring on 20 January '09
| 0000NNN000 Object | Risk Monitor | When Noted UTC | 0000T0000 Year Range | VI # | 000NN00 Prob Cum | T0000 PS Cum | T0000 PS Max | T S | Notes for Today's Latest Risk Assessments |
| 2009 BE2 | JPL Sentry | 2112 | 2013-2099 | 10 | 3.2e-09 | -5.14 | -5.43 | 0 | JPL: "Analysis based on 30 observations spanning 3.9651 days (2009-Jan-16.26198 to 2009-Jan-20.22712)." Diameter approximately 0.540 km. from mean, weighted H=19.0. |
| 2009 BE | NEODyS | 1422 | 2058-2090 | 18 | 2.63e-04 | -4.20 | -4.43 | 0 | NEODyS: "Based on 50 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2009/01/16.362 to 2009/01/19.971." |
| JPL Sentry | 1421 | 2058-2108 | 19 | 2.9e-04 | -4.17 | -4.42 | 0 | JPL: "Analysis based on 50 observations spanning 3.6092 days (2009-Jan-16.36105 to 2009-Jan-19.97022)." Diameter approximately 0.022 km. from mean, weighted H=25.9. | |
| 2009 BD | NEODyS | 1422 | 2053-2090 | 77 | 4.6e-04 | -5.36 | -5.90 | 0 | NEODyS: "Based on 78 optical observations (of which 1 are rejected as outliers) from 2009/01/16.277 to 2009/01/20.255." |
| JPL Sentry | 1421 | 2054-2061 | 10 | 2.7e-04 | -5.56 | -5.89 | 0 | JPL: "Analysis based on 77 observations spanning 3.9781 days (2009-Jan-16.27641 to 2009-Jan-20.25446)." Diameter approximately 0.007 km. from mean, weighted H=28.6. | |
| 2009 AL | NEODyS | 1422 | 2090 | 1 | 1.65e-07 | -5.43 | -5.43 | 0 | NEODyS: "Based on 47 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2009/01/01.300 to 2009/01/20.173." |
| JPL Sentry | 1421 | 2090-2106 | 2 | 2.0e-07 | -5.36 | -5.44 | 0 | JPL: "Analysis based on 47 observations spanning 18.873 days (2009-Jan-01.29931 to 2009-Jan-20.17216)." Diameter approximately 0.150 km. from mean, weighted H=21.8. | |
Legend: VI# = VI count, Prob Cum = cumulative probability, PS Cum/Max = cumulative/maximum Palermo Scale, TS = Torino Scale
An impact solution, also known as a "virtual impactor" (VI), is not a prediction but rather a possibility derived from a variant orbit calculation that cannot be eliminated yet based on the existing data. Elimination can come quickly with just a little further observation or may take weeks or months, sometimes years. Once superceded or eliminated, a former impact solution has zero relevance to an object's risk. See Jon Giorgini's "Understanding Risk Pages" to learn more.
Chronology on 20 January '09
Times are UTC for when items were noted or added by The Tracking News.
| 2358 | Grabbed MPEC 2009-B31 - 2009 BW2 - see above |
| 2112 | Noted that JPL Sentry has posted 2009 BE2 as an impact risk - see above |
| 1929 | Grabbed MPEC 2009-B29 - 2009 BM2 - see above |
| 1928 | Grabbed MPEC 2009-B27 - 2009 BK2 - see above Grabbed MPEC 2009-B28 - 2009 BL2 - see above Grabbed MPEC 2009-B30 - 2009 BN2 - see above |
| 1859 | Grabbed MPEC 2009-B24 - 2009 BG2 - see above Grabbed MPEC 2009-B25 - 2009 BH2 - see above Grabbed MPEC 2009-B26 - 2009 BJ2 - see above |
| 1858 | Grabbed MPEC 2009-B22 - 2009 BE2 - see above Grabbed MPEC 2009-B23 - 2009 BF2 - see above |
| 1829 | Grabbed MPEC 2009-B21 - 2009 AU16 - see above |
| 1422 | Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2009 AL risk assessment - see above Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2009 BD risk assessment - see above Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2009 BE risk assessment - see above |
| 1421 | Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2009 AL risk assessment - see above Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2009 BD risk assessment - see above Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2009 BE risk assessment - see above Grabbed MPEC 2009-B20 - Daily Orbit Update - see above |