Contents on 1 January '17
- Traffic Report -- two objects
- IAU Minor Planet Center
- NEOCP Activity -- 21 listings
- New MPECs -- six MPECs
- Observers -- 30 observers
- Impact Risk Monitoring -- one object
- Chronology
Asteroid/Comet Connection (A/CC) Resources:
- Consolidated Risk Tables - the CRT page
Of 749 risk-listed objects, 47 have had news in the last 31 days. Updated at 2313 UTC on 1 Jan.
- Ephemerides for risk-rated, nearby objects & NHATS targets
- News archive (old) & news image catalog (discontinued)
- Object Links - mainly for radar targets & close passers (mostly discontinued)
- Observing Campaigns (revised 8 April)
The latest A/CC news is available via framed access, RSS news feed, or redirection.
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. To keep track of what's new each day, watch the Chronology section.
Traffic Report on 1 January '17
Two objects reported inside ten LD
Two asteroidal objects are reported traveling within ten lunar distances (LD) of our planet today. 2016 YM3 is outbound from 6.96 to 8.49 LD and NHATS target 2016 YR is headed away from 7.58 to 7.75 LD.
Earth passage | I D | ~Size | Distance Today | Notes |
4.41 LD Dec. 29 | 2016 YM3 | 14 m | 6.96 to 8.49 LD | |
7.17 LD Dec. 27 | 2016 YR | 12 m | 7.58 to 7.75 LD | NHATS target |
Approaching | ||||
7.10 LD Feb. 5 | 2013 FK | 74 m | < 10 LD Feb. 2 | |
9.1 LD Feb. 4 | 2005 VL1 | 13 m | < 10 LD Feb. 1, uncertainty +/- 15.0000 hours, NHATS target, risk | |
9.4 LD Jan. 18 | 2016 YC8 | 40 m | < 10 LD Jan. 15, uncertainty +/- 24 mins., NHATS target, risk |
This report was generated at 1936 UTC with the discovery of already departed 2016 YY10 (MPEC), which passed Earth at 8.97 LD on December 22nd, and to note follow-up in today's DOU MPEC for departed NHATS targets 2016 YK4 (first follow-up) and 2016 XR23.
Notes: Ten times the distance to the Moon (ten LD) has no astronomical importance but is a useful boundary for reporting on transient natural objects that approach the actually significant gravitational sphere of influence (SOI), which has a radius of about 2.41 LD from Earth's center. This puts a focus on some of the most important and very best NEO observation work, representative of the much larger NEO discovery and tracking effort. Object distances are derived by A/CC from JPL Horizons data. See also current sky chart and object details (alt-details), ephemerides, and today's timeline.
NEOCP Activity on 1 January '17
The MPC's NEO Confirmation Page has 21 listings
When last checked at 2358 UTC today, the Minor Planet Center's Near Earth Object discovery Confirmation Page (NEOCP) had 21 objects listed. Of these, fifteen were "one nighters." So far The Tracking News has counted a total of 28 listings on the NEOCP today.
To learn how observers use the NEOCP, see the Practical guide on how to observe NEOCP object at Suno Observatory by Birtwhistle et al.
New MPECs on 1 January '17
Minor Planet Electronic Circulars
As of last check at 2358 UTC, there have been six MPECs posted today from the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- MPEC 2017-A01 time-stamped "00:15 UT" - 2015 DD198 - see below
- MPEC 2017-A02 time-stamped "13:06 UT" - Daily Orbit Update - see below
- MPEC 2017-A03 time-stamped "16:27 UT" - 2012 VC82 - see below
- MPEC 2017-A04 time-stamped "16:51 UT" - 2016 YY10 - see below
- MPEC 2017-A05 time-stamped "16:54 UT" - 2016 YZ10 - see below
- MPEC 2017-A06 time-stamped "22:35 UT" - 2016 YB11
MPEC 2017-A06 - "22:35 UT" - 2016 YB11
- K16Y11B 2016 YB11 (H=21.5 ~170m) was picked up at 0159 UT on 30 Dec. by the Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS), observing it at Dec. 30.08-10p4, 30.16p3, and 30.21-22p3. This detection was confirmed by Schwarzschild Obs. (Dec. 30.70-71p3, 30.77-78p3, 30.84p3 & 30.90p3), Farra d'Isonzo Obs. (Dec. 30.71-76p4), Calar Alto Schmidt (Dec. 30.80-81p3), Schiaparelli Obs. (Dec. 31.74-77p3), Sormano Obs. (Jan. 1.77p1 & 1.81-83p2), and Crni Vrh Obs. (Jan. 1.81-83p3).
MPEC 2017-A05 - "16:54 UT" - 2016 YZ10
- K16Y10Z 2016 YZ10 (H=20.8 ~234m) was picked up at 0336 UT on 29 Dec. by the Space Surveillance Telescope Atom Site (SST Atom Site), observing it at Dec. 29.15-18p9. This detection was confirmed by Bisei Spaceguard Center (Dec. 31.52-53p4), Paus Obs. (Dec. 31.92-93p3), and Schwarzschild Obs. (Jan. 1.15p3 & 1.22-24p6).
MPEC 2017-A04 - "16:51 UT" - 2016 YY10
- K16Y10Y 2016 YY10 (Earth MOID=8.0 LD, H=25.9 ~22m) was picked up at 0811 UT on 28 Dec. by Pan-STARRS 1 (PS1), observing it at Dec. 28.34-38p4. This detection was confirmed by St. Pardon de Conques Obs. (Dec. 28.84-88p3), Marco Micheli on Mauna Kea (Dec. 29.40p3), and Mt. John Obs. (Jan. 1.49-51p4).
MPEC 2017-A03 - "16:27 UT" - 2012 VC82
- K12V82C 2012 VC82 (Earth MOID=10.0 LD, H=20.2 ~309m) from UH/Tholen NEO Follow-Up 2.24m Telescope (Dec. 22.57-59p3 at G=23.0-3 & 23.65p1 at G=23.5)
<< DOU on 1 Jan. '17 >> MPEC 2017-A02 - "13:06 UT" - Daily Orbit Update
- Observations of risk-listed objects
- K16Y00P 2016 YP (small asteroid, arc=9 days, H=22.9 ~89m) from Astronomical Research Obs. Westfield (Dec. 25.20-22p3)
- Observations of close-passing objects
- K16Y04K 2016 YK4 (arc=8 days, H=26.1 ~20m, NHATS target) from Robert Holmes via Cerro Tololo Inter-American Obs. (CTIO) (Dec. 31.17-18p3)
- K16X23R 2016 XR23 (arc=12 days, H=25.3 ~29m, NHATS target) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 25.16-17p5)
- Observation campaigns (NHATS targets, radar support)
- K16Y00E 2016 YE (arc=6 days, H=26.0 ~21m, NHATS) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 22.11-12p4)
- K16W07M 2016 WM7 (arc=27 days, H=26.0 ~21m, NHATS) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 21.20-24p3 at V=22.5-9)
- h3953 433953 1997 XR2 (NHATS, radar) from Castelmartini Obs. (Dec. 31.99-00p3)
- a9264 369264 2009 MS (radar) from Sergio Foglia via iTelescope Obs. Siding Spring (Dec. 29.53-55p3)
- M6554 226554 2003 WR21 (NHATS) from Purple Mtn. Obs. Xuyi Station (Dec. 31.49-52p3)
-- NHATS target table & ephemerides -- Planetary radar schedules: Arecibo & Goldstone - Observations of small (H>22.0) & smallish (21.7<H<=22.0) asteroids
- K16Y08B 2016 YB8 (arc=4 days, H=24.4 ~45m) from ROASTERR-1 (Dec. 30.76-77p3) and Xuyi Sta. (Dec. 31.78-81p3)
- K16Y03N 2016 YN3 (i=52.9°, arc=7 days, H=23.0 ~85m) from Holmes/CTIO (Dec. 31.19-20p3)
- K16Y01A 2016 YA1 (arc=11 days, H=23.7 ~62m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 25.07-09p3)
- K16Y00O 2016 YO (arc=9 days, H=24.7 ~39m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 25.24-25p3)
- K16Y00M 2016 YM (arc=13 days, H=22.1 ~129m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 25.19-20p3) and Holmes/CTIO (Dec. 31.22-23p3)
- K16Y00K 2016 YK (arc=12 days, H=23.6 ~65m) from ROASTERR-1 (Dec. 30.74p2)
- K16W09V 2016 WV9 (arc=35 days, H=23.2 ~78m) from Holmes/CTIO (Dec. 31.27-29p3)
- K16W00V 2016 WV (arc=38 days, H=24.2 ~49m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 20.30-31p5)
- K16T93H 2016 TH93 (arc=86 days, H=22.6 ~102m) from Holmes/CTIO (Dec. 31.11-15p3 at V=22.8-9)
- K16U05W 2016 UW5 (arc=68 days, H=22.0 ~135m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 25.07-10p3 at V=22.0-22.2)
- Observations of other objects
- K16Y08T 2016 YT8 (arc=3 days, H=20.4 ~282m) from ROASTERR-1 (Dec. 30.92-93p2)
- K16Y07W 2016 YW7 (arc=8 days, H=20.6 ~257m) from Holmes/CTIO (Dec. 31.21-22p3)
- K16Y04N 2016 YN4 (Q=4.192 AU, arc=7 days, H=19.9 ~355m) from ROASTERR-1 (Dec. 30.87-90p3) and RMS Obs. (Dec. 31.43p2)
- K16Y00N 2016 YN (i=45.0°, arc=2 opp, H=18.2 ~776m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 22.12-13p3)
- K16X02H 2016 XH2 (arc=19 days, H=21.1 ~204m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 20.24-25p3)
- K16X01Z 2016 XZ1 (arc=76 days, H=20.6 ~257m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 22.04-05p3)
- K16X00M 2016 XM (arc=54 days, H=19.9 ~355m) from ROASTERR-1 (Dec. 30.83-84p3)
- K16W10E 2016 WE10 (arc=33 days, H=21.3 ~186m) from Holmes/CTIO (Dec. 31.29p3)
- K16W09X 2016 WX9 (arc=33 days, H=20.1 ~323m) from Tholen 2.24m (Dec. 23.66p2)
- K16W01O 2016 WO1 (arc=79 days, H=19.9 ~355m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 22.06-07p3)
- K16W01E 2016 WE1 (arc=40 days, H=19.3 ~467m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 6.10p2 at V=22.1-3)
- K16V18Z 2016 VZ18 (Q=388.276 AU, arc=79 days, H=18.7 ~616m) from Micheli/Mauna Kea (Dec. 23.26p3)
- K16V05Y 2016 VY5 (arc=134 days, H=20.2 ~309m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 22.07-08p5)
- K16V03G 2016 VG3 (arc=55 days, H=20.6 ~257m) from Holmes/CTIO (Dec. 31.23-25p3)
- K16V02E 2016 VE2 (arc=53 days, H=19.4 ~446m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 21.04-06p3 at V=22.4-8)
- K16U80T 2016 UT80 (arc=61 days, H=19.0 ~537m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 21.09-10p3)
- K16U41W 2016 UW41 (arc=66 days, H=20.9 ~224m) from Holmes/CTIO (Dec. 31.06-08p3 at V=22.4-5)
- K16T55X 2016 TX55 (arc=83 days, H=20.0 ~339m) from Holmes/CTIO (Dec. 31.17-18p3)
- K16R40F 2016 RF40 (arc=112 days, H=21.5 ~170m) from Holmes/CTIO (Dec. 31.24-25p3 at V=22.0-22.1)
- K16Q83Y 2016 QY83 (arc=126 days, H=20.7 ~245m) from Holmes/CTIO (Dec. 31.11-15p3 at V=22.6)
- K16Q11N 2016 QN11 (arc=127 days, H=20.8 ~234m) from Rokycany Obs. (Dec. 31.76p2)
- K16P66Z 2016 PZ66 (arc=140 days, H=19.3 ~467m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 22.14-15p5), Iota Scorpii Obs. (Dec. 27.85-90p3), RMS Obs. (Dec. 31.01-02p2 & 31.08p2), and Pascoli Obs. (Dec. 31.75-76p3)
- K16P38N 2016 PN38 (arc=2 opp, H=21.2 ~195m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 20.44-45p3)
- K16P08R 2016 PR8 (Q=4.754 AU, arc=2 opp, H=18.9 ~562m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 14.43-44p5) and RMS Obs. (Dec. 31.41-42p2)
- K16O01K 2016 OK1 (arc=2 opp, H=19.9 ~355m) from Rokycany Obs. (Dec. 31.74p3)
- K16O00J 2016 OJ (arc=167 days, H=21.7 ~155m) from Holmes/CTIO (Dec. 31.06-08p3 at V=22.5-7)
- K16N15L 2016 NL15 (arc=2 opp, H=20.4 ~282m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 22.10p5), Cavezzo Obs. (Dec. 30.83-84p3), and RMS Obs. (Dec. 31.02-03p2)
- K16L08V 2016 LV8 (Q=4.481 AU, arc=2 opp, H=19.8 ~371m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 20.37-41p4 at V=22.1-2)
- K14Y44N 2014 YN44 (arc=2 opp, H=19.0 ~537m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 20.32-35p3 at V=22.0-22.3)
- K14SQ1M 2014 SM261 (arc=2 opp, H=21.1 ~204m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 21.37-41p3 at V=22.4-5)
- K05T00F 2005 TF (arc=2 opp, H=20.2 ~309m) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 14.30-31p5)
- K02A29C 2002 AC29 (arc=6 opp, H=17.8 ~933m) from Xuyi Sta. (Dec. 30.83-86p3)
- g0591 420591 2012 HF31 from Xuyi Sta. (Dec. 31.63-65p3)
- g0262 420262 2011 KD11 from Xuyi Sta. (Dec. 31.48-50p2)
- f4903 414903 2010 XT45 from Xuyi Sta. (Dec. 31.53-56p3)
- b8610 378610 2008 FT6 from Castelmartini Obs. (Dec. 28.85-86p3)
- Y5705 345705 2006 VB14 from Castelmartini Obs. (Dec. 28.84p3)
- R5611 275611 1999 XX262 from Iota Scorpii Obs. (Dec. 27.86-89p3)
- M6514 226514 2003 UX34 from Shinshiro Obs. (Dec. 27.76-77p3), ATLAS Haleakala (Dec. 28.52-56p4), M57 Obs. (Dec. 28.99-03p11), and Petit Jean Mtn. South Obs. (PJMSO) (Dec. 29.45p8)
- K3217 203217 2001 FX9 from Castelmartini Obs. (Dec. 31.99p3)
- G3249 163249 2002 GT from Xuyi Sta. (Dec. 31.49-50p2)
- E0928 140928 2001 VG75 from Crni Vrh Obs. (Dec. 31.71-74p4)
- D8859 138859 2000 WN63 from Xuyi Sta. (Dec. 31.78-80p2)
- 16834 16834 1997 WU22 from Xuyi Sta. (Dec. 31.45-48p4)
- 05587 5587 1990 SB from Xuyi Sta. (Dec. 31.49-52p6)
- 04179 4179 Toutatis (1989 AC) from Crni Vrh Obs. (Dec. 31.76p4)
- 03352 3352 McAuliffe (1981 CW) from Castelmartini Obs. (Dec. 28.87p3)
- 03103 3103 Eger (1982 BB) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 14.38-39p5)
- 01627 1627 Ivar (1929 SH) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 14.26p5)
- 00433 433 Eros (1898 DQ) from ARO Westfield (Dec. 22.00-02p6)
MPEC 2017-A01 - "00:15 UT" - 2015 DD198
- K15DJ8D 2015 DD198 (H=21.1 ~204m) from Tholen 2.24m (Dec. 22.37-40p3 at G=23.9-24.2 & 23.38-39p2 at G=24.1-2)
Observers on 1 January '17
A total of 30 observers appear in today's MPECs.
Code | Observer / observatory |
---|---|
H21 | Astronomical Research Obs. Westfield in Illinois, 28 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 2016 YP, 2016 YO, 2016 YN, 2016 YM, 2016 YE, 2016 YA1, 2016 XZ1, 2016 XR23, 2016 XH2, 2016 WV, 2016 WO1, 2016 WM7, 2016 WE1, 2016 VY5, 2016 VE2, 2016 UW5, 2016 UT80, 2016 PZ66, 2016 PR8, 2016 PN38, 2016 NL15, 2016 LV8, 2014 YN44, 2014 SM261, 2005 TF, 3103, 1627, 433 |
T05 | ATLAS Haleakala in Hawaii, 1 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 226514 |
300 | Bisei Spaceguard Center in Japan, 1 in MPEC 2017-A05 -- 2016 YZ10 |
Z84 | Calar Alto Schmidt in Spain, 1 in MPEC 2017-A06 -- 2016 YB11 |
160 | Castelmartini Obs. in Italy, 5 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 433953, 378610, 345705, 203217, 3352 |
107 | Cavezzo Obs. in Italy, 1 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 2016 NL15 |
807| | Robert Holmes in Illinois via Cerro Tololo Inter-American Obs. (CTIO) in Chile, 13 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 2016 YW7, 2016 YN3, 2016 YM, 2016 YK4, 2016 WV9, 2016 WE10, 2016 VG3, 2016 UW41, 2016 TX55, 2016 TH93, 2016 RF40, 2016 QY83, 2016 OJ |
106 | Crni Vrh Obs. in Slovenia, 3 in MPECs 2017-A02 & 2017-A06 -- 2016 YB11, 140928, 4179 |
595 | Farra d'Isonzo Obs. in Italy, 1 in MPEC 2017-A06 -- 2016 YB11 |
K78 | Iota Scorpii Obs., 2 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 2016 PZ66, 275611 |
Q62| | Sergio Foglia in Italy via iTelescope Obs. Siding Spring in New South Wales, 1 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 369264 |
K38 | M57 Obs. in Italy, 1 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 226514 |
568_ | Marco Micheli on Mauna Kea in Hawaii, 2 in MPECs 2017-A02 & 2017-A04 -- 2016 YY10, 2016 VZ18 |
474 | Mt. John Obs. in New Zealand, 1 in MPEC 2017-A04 -- 2016 YY10 |
G96 | Mt. Lemmon Survey in Arizona, 1 in MPEC 2017-A06 -- 2016 YB11 |
F51 | Pan-STARRS 1 in Hawaii, 1 in MPEC 2017-A04 -- 2016 YY10 |
K63 | Pascoli Obs. in Italy, 1 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 2016 PZ66 |
B49 | Paus Obs. in Spain, 1 in MPEC 2017-A05 -- 2016 YZ10 |
H45 | Petit Jean Mtn. South Obs. in Arkansas, 1 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 226514 |
D29 | Purple Mtn. Obs. Xuyi Station in China, 10 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 2016 YB8, 2002 AC29, 420591, 420262, 414903, 226554, 16834, 163249, 138859, 5587 |
W25 | RMS Obs., 4 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 2016 YN4, 2016 PZ66, 2016 PR8, 2016 NL15 |
L04 | ROASTERR-1 in Romania, 5 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 2016 YT8, 2016 YN4, 2016 YK, 2016 YB8, 2016 XM |
K61 | Rokycany Obs. in the Czech Republic, 2 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 2016 QN11, 2016 OK1 |
204 | Schiaparelli Obs. in Italy, 1 in MPEC 2017-A06 -- 2016 YB11 |
033 | Schwarzschild Obs. in Germany, 2 in MPECs 2017-A05 & 2017-A06 -- 2016 YZ10, 2016 YB11 |
Q11 | Shinshiro Obs., 1 in MPEC 2017-A02 -- 226514 |
587 | Sormano Obs. in Italy, 1 in MPEC 2017-A06 -- 2016 YB11 |
G45 | Space Surveillance Telescope Atom Site in New Mexico, 1 in MPEC 2017-A05 -- 2016 YZ10 |
I93 | St. Pardon de Conques Obs. in France, 1 in MPEC 2017-A04 -- 2016 YY10 |
T12 | UH/Tholen NEO Follow-Up 2.24m Telescope in Hawaii, 3 in MPECs 2017-A01, 2017-A02 & 2017-A03 -- 2016 WX9, 2015 DD198, 2012 VC82 |
For a list of all participating observatories that have Web addresses, see A/CC's Observatory Links page. |
Impact Risk Monitoring on 1 January '17
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 |
2016 YP | NEODyS | 2312 | 2112 | 1 | 1.55e-09 | -8.03 | -8.03 | 0 | NEODyS: "Based on 53 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2016-12-18.278 to 2016-12-27.238." |
Legend: VI# = VI count, Prob Cum = cumulative probability, PS Cum/Max = cumulative/maximum Palermo Scale, TS = Torino Scale (next 100 years)
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 1 January '17
Times are UTC for when items were noted or added by The Tracking News.
2312 | Noted that NEODyS has reposted 2016 YP as an impact risk - see above Grabbed MPEC 2017-A06 - 2016 YB11 - see above |
1936 | Generated Traffic Report |
1700 | Grabbed MPEC 2017-A02 - Daily Orbit Update - see above Grabbed MPEC 2017-A03 - 2012 VC82 - see above Grabbed MPEC 2017-A04 - 2016 YY10 - see above Grabbed MPEC 2017-A05 - 2016 YZ10 - see above |
0105 | Grabbed MPEC 2017-A01 - 2015 DD198 - see above |