Contents on 16 January '17
- Traffic Report -- two objects
- IAU Minor Planet Center
- NEOCP Activity -- 48 listings
- New MPECs -- four MPECs
- Observers -- 23 observers
- Impact Risk Monitoring -- one object
- Chronology
Asteroid/Comet Connection (A/CC) Resources:
- Consolidated Risk Tables - the CRT page
- 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 16 January '17
Two objects reported inside ten LD
There are two minor objects reported passing inside ten lunar distances (LD) of Earth today. 2017 AJ13 is outbound from 7.66 to 9.06 LD and NHATS target 2016 YC8 enters our ten-LD traffic reporting "bubble," coming in from 10.02 to 9.64 LD. No other objects are currently known to come this close until February 1st.
This report was generated at 1940 UTC with follow-up in today's DOU MPEC for 2017 AJ13 and, from late December, risk-listed 2016 WQ1.
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 16 January '17
The MPC's NEO Confirmation Page has 48 listings
When last checked at 2324 UTC today, the Minor Planet Center's Near Earth Object discovery Confirmation Page (NEOCP) had 48 objects listed. Of these, eight were "one nighters." The Tracking News counted a total of 54 listings on the NEOCP on this day.
New MPECs on 16 January '17
Minor Planet Electronic Circulars
There were four MPECs posted this day from the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- MPEC 2017-B01 time-stamped "13:03 UT" - Daily Orbit Update - see below
- MPEC 2017-B02 time-stamped "23:49 UT" - 2017 AN19 - see below
- MPEC 2017-B03 time-stamped "23:53 UT" - 2017 AO19 - see below
- MPEC 2017-B04 time-stamped "23:56 UT" - 2017 AP19
MPEC 2017-B04 - "23:56 UT" - 2017 AP19
- K17A19P 2017 AP19 (small asteroid, Earth MOID=2.4 LD, H=23.6 ~65m) was picked up at 1441 UT on 9 Jan. by ATLAS Haleakala, observing it at Jan. 9.61-65p4. This detection was confirmed by Bisei Spaceguard Center (Jan. 9.82-83p6), Great Shefford Obs. (Jan. 10.01p3 & 13.94-95p2), LCOGT Tenerife Aqawan A#1 (Jan. 10.19-20p7 & 16.22-25p11), Modra Obs. (Jan. 11.18-20p4), LCOGT Fort Davis (Jan. 12.34-37p23), Magdalena Ridge Obs. (MRO) (Jan. 12.38-42p4), and LCOGT Haleakala OGG B#2 (Jan. 12.51-53p10).
MPEC 2017-B03 - "23:53 UT" - 2017 AO19
- K17A19O 2017 AO19 (q=2.015 AU, Q=11.193 AU, H=17.5 ~1.07 km) was picked up at 0839 UT on 7 Jan. by the Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS), observing it at Jan. 7.36-41p7, 8.25-27p7, and 9.41p2. This detection was confirmed by Steward Obs. Mt. Lemmon Station (Jan. 7.42-43p4, 8.28-29p4 & 9.24-25p3), the Spacewatch 0.9m telescope (Jan. 8.34-35p5), Robert Holmes via Cerro Tololo Inter-American Obs. (CTIO) (Jan. 9.17-18p3 & 16.13p3), and Tenagra II Obs. (Jan. 9.21-23p3).
MPEC 2017-B02 - "23:49 UT" - 2017 AN19
- K17A19N 2017 AN19 (H=19.6 ~407m) was picked up at 0740 UT on 7 Jan. by MLS, observing it at Jan. 7.32-33p3, 7.40-41p4, 8.34p2, and 9.22-23p4. This detection was confirmed by Steward Mt. Lemmon Sta. (Jan. 7.39-40p4), the Spacewatch 1.8m telescope (Jan. 8.22-23p3), Spacewatch 0.9m (Jan. 9.39-40p3), and Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.12p3).
<< DOU on 16 Jan. '17 >> MPEC 2017-B01 - "13:03 UT" - Daily Orbit Update
- Observations of risk-listed objects
- K16W01Q 2016 WQ1 (small asteroid, arc=34 days, H=27.8 ~9m, close passer) from UH/Tholen NEO Follow-Up 2.24m Telescope (Dec. 23.46p1 at G=24.5)
- Observations of recently (no longer) risk-listed objects
- K16Y04J 2016 YJ4 (small asteroid, Q=4.394 AU, arc=24 days, H=23.3 ~74m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.09-10p3)
- K16W09F 2016 WF9 (Q=4.760 AU, arc=98 days, H=20.2 ~309m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.05p3)
- Observations of close-passing objects
- K17A13J 2017 AJ13 (arc=8 days, H=24.2 ~49m) from North Obs. (Jan. 14.94-96p3)
- Observation campaigns (NHATS targets, radar support)
- K16Y01N 2016 YN1 (arc=32 days, H=23.6 ~65m, NHATS) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.06-07p3)
-- NHATS target table & ephemerides - Observations of small asteroids (H>22.0)
- K17A13O 2017 AO13 (arc=8 days, H=23.1 ~81m) from Pan-STARRS 1 (PS1) (Jan. 15.58-62p3)
- K17A03X 2017 AX3 (arc=14 days, H=22.8 ~93m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.18-19p3)
- K17A03J 2017 AJ3 (arc=13 days, H=24.3 ~47m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.23-24p3)
- K16Y00M 2016 YM (arc=29 days, H=22.1 ~129m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.26-27p3)
- Observations of other objects
- K17A03W 2017 AW3 (arc=14 days, H=20.9 ~224m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.20-21p3)
- K16Y10Z 2016 YZ10 (arc=17 days, H=20.9 ~224m) from PS1 (Jan. 15.43-47p4)
- K16Y10U 2016 YU10 (arc=22 days, H=19.0 ~537m) from PS1 (Jan. 15.59-63p4)
- K16Y08T 2016 YT8 (arc=18 days, H=20.4 ~282m) from program code "%" (14) via Slooh.com Canary Islands Obs. (Jan. 14.84-87p2)
- K16Y04N 2016 YN4 (Q=4.195 AU, arc=22 days, H=19.8 ~371m) from Purple Mtn. Obs. Xuyi Station (Jan. 15.60-62p2)
- K16Y03E 2016 YE3 (arc=76 days, H=20.9 ~224m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.08-09p3)
- K16V05Y 2016 VY5 (arc=151 days, H=20.2 ~309m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.07p3)
- K16V04C 2016 VC4 (arc=74 days, H=20.8 ~234m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.20-22p3)
- K16UA1J 2016 UJ101 (arc=77 days, H=20.4 ~282m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.18-19p3)
- K16U80U 2016 UU80 (arc=79 days, H=20.6 ~257m) from M. Kumrucu-Lohmiller via Slooh.com Chile Obs. (Jan. 15.14-15p3), Slooh.com CIO/code "%" (14) (Jan. 15.84p2), and Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.15p3)
- K16T56A 2016 TA56 (Q=4.791 AU, arc=101 days, H=18.1 ~812m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.05p3)
- K16T55X 2016 TX55 (arc=99 days, H=20.0 ~339m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.16-17p3)
- K16R40F 2016 RF40 (arc=128 days, H=21.5 ~170m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.23-24p3 at V=22.1-2)
- K16R00U 2016 RU (arc=136 days, H=19.6 ~407m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.11-12p3)
- K16Q84C 2016 QC84 (arc=2 opp, H=20.1 ~323m) from PS1 (Jan. 15.64-66p4)
- K16P66Z 2016 PZ66 (arc=155 days, H=19.4 ~446m) from Bigmuskie Obs. (Jan. 15.74-77p3)
- K16P01L 2016 PL1 (arc=186 days, H=18.7 ~616m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.10-11p3)
- K16N00V 2016 NV (arc=197 days, H=19.8 ~371m) from Holmes/CTIO (Jan. 16.06p3)
- K05T00F 2005 TF (arc=2 opp, H=20.2 ~309m) from Xuyi Sta. (Jan. 15.65-69p3)
- l5665 475665 2006 VY13 from ATLAS Haleakala (Jan. 15.60-66p4)
- l0510 470510 2008 CJ116 from Castelmartini Obs. (2016 Oct. 3.81p3)
- Y7813 347813 2002 NP1 from Castelmartini Obs. (2016 Oct. 3.80p3)
- D8846 138846 2000 VJ61 from ATLAS Haleakala (Jan. 15.41-47p4)
- 97725 97725 2000 GB147 from Xuyi Sta. (Jan. 15.60-63p3)
- 96744 96744 1999 OW3 from Sergio Foglia via iTelescope Obs. Siding Spring (Jan. 15.47-49p2)
Observers on 16 January '17
A total of 23 observers appeared in this day's MPECs.
Code | Observer / observatory |
---|---|
T05 | ATLAS Haleakala in Hawaii, 3 in MPECs 2017-B01 & 2017-B04 -- 2017 AP19, 475665, 138846 |
B88 | Bigmuskie Obs. in Italy, 1 in MPEC 2017-B01 -- 2016 PZ66 |
300 | Bisei Spaceguard Center in Japan, 1 in MPEC 2017-B04 -- 2017 AP19 |
160 | Castelmartini Obs. in Italy, 2 in MPEC 2017-B01 -- 470510, 347813 |
807| | Robert Holmes in Illinois via Cerro Tololo Inter-American Obs. (CTIO) in Chile, 20 in MPECs 2017-B01, 2017-B02 & 2017-B03 -- 2017 AX3, 2017 AW3, 2017 AO19, 2017 AN19, 2017 AJ3, 2016 YN1, 2016 YM, 2016 YJ4, 2016 YE3, 2016 WF9, 2016 VY5, 2016 VC4, 2016 UU80, 2016 UJ101, 2016 TX55, 2016 TA56, 2016 RU, 2016 RF40, 2016 PL1, 2016 NV |
J95 | Great Shefford Obs. in England, 1 in MPEC 2017-B04 -- 2017 AP19 |
Q62| | Sergio Foglia in Italy via iTelescope Obs. Siding Spring in New South Wales, 1 in MPEC 2017-B01 -- 96744 |
V37 | LCOGT Fort Davis in Texas, 1 in MPEC 2017-B04 -- 2017 AP19 |
T04 | LCOGT Haleakala OGG B#2 in Hawaii, 1 in MPEC 2017-B04 -- 2017 AP19 |
Z21 | LCOGT Tenerife Aqawan A#1 in the Canary Islands, 1 in MPEC 2017-B04 -- 2017 AP19 |
H01 | Magdalena Ridge Obs. in New Mexico, 1 in MPEC 2017-B04 -- 2017 AP19 |
118 | Modra Obs. in Slovakia, 1 in MPEC 2017-B04 -- 2017 AP19 |
G96 | Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS) in Arizona, 2 in MPECs 2017-B02 & 2017-B03 -- 2017 AO19, 2017 AN19 |
J69 | North Obs. in England, 1 in MPEC 2017-B01 -- 2017 AJ13 |
F51 | Pan-STARRS 1 (PS1) in Hawaii, 4 in MPEC 2017-B01 -- 2017 AO13, 2016 YZ10, 2016 YU10, 2016 QC84 |
D29 | Purple Mtn. Obs. Xuyi Station in China, 3 in MPEC 2017-B01 -- 2016 YN4, 2005 TF, 97725 |
G40% | program code "%" (14) via Slooh.com Canary Islands Obs. in the Canary Islands, 2 in MPEC 2017-B01 -- 2016 YT8, 2016 UU80 |
W885 | M. Kumrucu-Lohmiller in Massachusetts via Slooh.com Chile Obs. in Chile, 1 in MPEC 2017-B01 -- 2016 UU80 |
691 | Spacewatch 0.9m telescope in Arizona, 2 in MPECs 2017-B02 & 2017-B03 -- 2017 AO19, 2017 AN19 |
291 | Spacewatch 1.8m telescope in Arizona, 1 in MPEC 2017-B02 -- 2017 AN19 |
I52 | Steward Obs. Mt. Lemmon Station in Arizona, 2 in MPECs 2017-B02 & 2017-B03 -- 2017 AO19, 2017 AN19 |
926 | Tenagra II Obs. in Arizona, 1 in MPEC 2017-B03 -- 2017 AO19 |
T12 | UH/Tholen NEO Follow-Up 2.24m Telescope in Hawaii, 1 in MPEC 2017-B01 -- 2016 WQ1 |
For a list of all participating observatories that have Web addresses, see A/CC's Observatory Links page. |
Impact Risk Monitoring on 16 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 WQ1 | NEODyS | 1736 | 2046-2116 | 4 | 6.23e-08 | -9.02 | -9.1 | 0 | NEODyS: "Based on 61 optical observations (of which 1 are rejected as outliers) from 2016-11-20.409 to 2016-12-24.446." |
JPL Sentry | 1645 | 2084 | 1 | 8.1e-08 | -8.74 | -8.74 | 0 | JPL: "Analysis based on 59 observations spanning 34.037 days (2016-Nov-20.40832 to 2016-Dec-24.44531)." Diameter approximately 0.009 km. from mean, weighted H=27.9. |
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 16 January '17
Times are UTC for when items were noted or added by The Tracking News.
0000 1/17 | Grabbed MPEC 2017-B02 - 2017 AN19 - see above Grabbed MPEC 2017-B03 - 2017 AO19 - see above Grabbed MPEC 2017-B04 - 2017 AP19 - see above |
1940 | Generated Traffic Report |
1736 | Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2016 WQ1 risk assessment - see above |
1645 | Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2016 WQ1 risk assessment - see above Grabbed MPEC 2017-B01 - Daily Orbit Update - see above |