Contents  on 27 December '20

CHANGES COMING:  The Asteroid/Comet Connection Web site will soon focus completely on Earth's Busy Neighborhood reporting. Sometime on or soon after Sunday, December 27th, much of the site will be retired.* The Tracking News will be discontinued and taken down entirely** along with its supporting timeline pages, the archives of its predecessor online publication, Major News About Minor Objects, and our even longer running Consolidated Risk Tables feature. Remaining will be Earth's Busy Neighborhood along with its sky chart, ephemerides, and some supporting pages (e.g. Observatory Links). We do plan to make the Web site easier to use, more interesting as regards close-passing asteroids, and more glitch-free while needing much, much less manual attention here than the current site. -- Webmaster

  *There will be some chaos when we take down the old site and put up the new. Please check back.
**You can still find the old files at the Internet Archive.

Asteroid/Comet Connection (A/CC) Resources:

The latest A/CC news is available via framed access, RSS news feed 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.

NEOCP Activity  on 27 December '20

The MPC's NEO Confirmation Page has 39 listings

When last checked at 2358 UTC today, the Minor Planet Center's Near Earth Object discovery Confirmation Page (NEOCP) had 39 objects listed. Of these, seventeen were "one nighters." So far The Tracking News has counted a total of 51 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 27 December '20

Minor Planet Electronic Circulars

As of last check at 2358 UTC, there have been seven MPECs posted today from the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.


MPEC 2020-Y144 - "15:14 UT" - 2020 YQ4


MPEC 2020-Y143 - "14:50 UT" - 2014 DY112


<< DOU on 27 December '20 >>  MPEC 2020-Y142 - "12:38 UT" - Daily Orbit Update


MPEC 2020-Y141 - "03:06 UT" - 2020 YP4


MPEC 2020-Y140 - "02:31 UT" - 2020 YO4


MPEC 2020-Y139 - "02:30 UT" - 2020 YN4


MPEC 2020-Y138 - "02:28 UT" - 2020 YM4

Observers  on 27 December '20

A total of 25 observers appear in today's MPECs.

CodeObserver / observatory
H21Astronomical Research Obs. Westfield in Illinois, 4 in MPECs 2020-Y138, 2020-Y139, 2020-Y141 & 2020-Y142 -- 2020 YP4, 2020 YN4, 2020 YM4, 2020 YL2
T05ATLAS Haleakala in Hawaii, 14 in MPEC 2020-Y142 -- 1999 VX15, 87684, 85275, 65717, 35107, 202411, 186822, 162173, 142464, 12538, 11405, 4953, 4055, 1036
T08ATLAS Mauna Loa in Hawaii, 28 in MPEC 2020-Y142 -- 2020 YN3, 2020 WL3, 2016 ED85, 2016 CB32, 2003 YP17, 2003 YM1, 2002 GZ8, 2001 YV3, 99935, 89355, 517103, 497094, 438902, 416694, 415029, 283729, 23183, 21088, 203471, 162510, 162186, 152941, 138859, 137805, 8567, 7753, 5131, 2368
G17BAS Obs., 4 in MPEC 2020-Y142 -- 2001 YV3, 89355, 283729, 6053
703Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) in Arizona, 28 in MPECs 2020-Y138 & 2020-Y142 -- 2020 YM4, 2020 XZ4, 2020 WM5, 2020 WA5, 2019 BO1, 2002 TS67, 99935, 90147, 88188, 53435, 505093, 465749, 438902, 416694, 380359, 36183, 345705, 21374, 163014, 159402, 138175, 138095, 137099, 9172, 4953, 4179, 3908, 887
V06Catalina Sky Survey Kuiper Telescope in Arizona, 1 in MPEC 2020-Y144 -- 2020 YQ4
807|Robert Holmes in Illinois via Cerro Tololo Inter-American Obs. in Chile, 1 in MPEC 2020-Y140 -- 2020 YO4
K87Dettelbach Vineyard Obs. in Germany, 5 in MPEC 2020-Y142 -- 2020 XN1, 2020 WS5, 2020 VQ6, 2013 UX14, 2012 SA22
595Farra d'Isonzo Obs. in Italy, 5 in MPECs 2020-Y138, 2020-Y139 & 2020-Y142 -- 2020 YN4, 2020 YM4, 2020 YK4, 2020 YG4, 2012 XE133
203GiaGa Obs. in Italy, 2 in MPECs 2020-Y138 & 2020-Y139 -- 2020 YN4, 2020 YM4
695^Spacewatch via Kitt Peak Natl. Obs. (KPNO) in Arizona, 3 in MPEC 2020-Y142 -- 2020 YL1, 2020 XF, 2014 CS
K38M57 Obs. in Italy, 1 in MPEC 2020-Y142 -- 2020 WA5
G96Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS) in Arizona, 45 in MPECs 2020-Y138, 2020-Y139, 2020-Y140, 2020-Y141, 2020-Y142, 2020-Y143 & 2020-Y144 -- 2020 YZ3, 2020 YQ4, 2020 YP4, 2020 YO4, 2020 YN4, 2020 YN3, 2020 YM4, 2020 YE1, 2020 YA4, 2020 YA1, 2020 XW4, 2020 XP2, 2020 XL3, 2020 WJ4, 2020 RO9, 2019 CT1, 2018 KM2, 2017 XH62, 2017 BL31, 2014 DY112, 2009 AE16, 2006 YF, 2003 YM1, 2003 EH16, 2002 GZ8, 96315, 89355, 511520, 482228, 457768, 420591, 417581, 380128, 313548, 25916, 247156, 237551, 23183, 22753, 21088, 173664, 140333, 138859, 137078, 10165
K74Muensterschwarzach Obs. in Germany, 2 in MPEC 2020-Y142 -- 2014 WG365, 2012 SA22
Z80Northolt Branch Obs. in England, 3 in MPEC 2020-Y142 -- 2020 WA5, 2012 XE133, 501647
F51Pan-STARRS 1 (PS1) in Hawaii, 9 in MPECs 2020-Y140, 2020-Y142 & 2020-Y143 -- 2020 YO4, 2020 XR, 2020 WM5, 2020 VC7, 2014 DY112, 399611, 38086, 162142, 137032
F52Pan-STARRS 2 (PS2) in Hawaii, 7 in MPECs 2020-Y142 & 2020-Y143 -- 2020 YN3, 2020 WM5, 2020 VM3, 2014 DY112, 351370, 349074, 8567
H36Sandlot Obs. in Kansas, 2 in MPECs 2020-Y138 & 2020-Y141 -- 2020 YP4, 2020 YM4
C95SATINO-1 in France, 1 in MPEC 2020-Y142 -- 31669
204Schiaparelli Obs. in Italy, 2 in MPECs 2020-Y141 & 2020-Y142 -- 2020 YP4, 2020 YN4
691Spacewatch 0.9m telescope in Arizona, 2 in MPEC 2020-Y142 -- 2020 PC5, 2014 JH57
291Spacewatch 1.8m telescope in Arizona, 2 in MPECs 2020-Y140 & 2020-Y142 -- 2020 YO4, 1999 RM45
W34Squirrel Valley Obs. in North Carolina, 3 in MPEC 2020-Y142 -- 2020 YJ4, 2002 TS67, 7753
I52Steward Obs. Mt. Lemmon Station in Arizona, 36 in MPECs 2020-Y138, 2020-Y139, 2020-Y141, 2020-Y142 & 2020-Y143 -- 2020 YV1, 2020 YR1, 2020 YP4, 2020 YP1, 2020 YO3, 2020 YO1, 2020 YN4, 2020 YM4, 2020 YL1, 2020 YE1, 2020 YC4, 2020 YC3, 2020 YB4, 2020 YA4, 2020 YA3, 2020 YA1, 2020 XZ4, 2020 XW4, 2020 XP2, 2020 XD5, 2020 XA4, 2020 WZ1, 2020 WV5, 2020 WN4, 2020 WM5, 2020 WJ1, 2020 VM3, 2020 UU3, 2020 TQ7, 2020 TB12, 2020 SO, 2020 RU, 2020 RO9, 2020 QU6, 2020 QQ6, 2014 DY112
L01Visnjan Obs. in Croatia, 6 in MPECs 2020-Y138, 2020-Y139, 2020-Y140, 2020-Y141, 2020-Y142 & 2020-Y144 -- 2020 YQ4, 2020 YP4, 2020 YO4, 2020 YN4, 2020 YM4, 2015 DZ53
For a list of all participating observatories that have Web addresses, see A/CC's Observatory Links page.

Impact Risk Monitoring  on 27 December '20

Summary Risk Table for Risk Assessments Updated Today   (last checks: NEODyS at 2358 UTC)
See the CRT page for a list of all objects rated recently as risks and our ephemerides page for a list of risk-listed objects under current observation.
The time horizon for JPL and NEODyS listings is 100 years, and both post impact solutions beyond that for some special objects.
For the latest official risk assessments, and for explanations of the terminology, see the NASA/JPL Sentry and NEODyS CLOMON2 risk pages.
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
2020 YN4JPL Sentry1700R E M O V E DJPL #2 for the day
2020 YC3JPL Sentry17002115-211511.219e-10-7.47-7.470JPL: Computed at 06:33 today Pacific time based on 30 observations spanning 6.0005 days (2020-Dec-21.271836 to 2020-Dec-27.272369). Diameter approximately 0.330 km. from weighted mean H=20.03.
2020 YA3JPL Sentry17002049-2119141.741072e-05-5.27-5.360JPL: Computed at 06:51 today Pacific time based on 34 observations spanning 5.9821 days (2020-Dec-21.355978 to 2020-Dec-27.338074). Diameter approximately 0.022 km. from weighted mean H=25.98.
2020 YL1JPL Sentry17002038-211659.19419e-08-4.03-4.050JPL: Computed at 06:32 today Pacific time based on 53 observations spanning 7.8886 days (2020-Dec-19.375273 to 2020-Dec-27.26385). Diameter approximately 0.270 km. from weighted mean H=20.50.
2020 YA1JPL Sentry17002103-211333.6437e-06-6.77-6.880JPL: Computed at 06:40 today Pacific time based on 59 observations spanning 10.047 days (2020-Dec-17.404234 to 2020-Dec-27.451476). Diameter approximately 0.015 km. from weighted mean H=26.76.
2020 XFJPL Sentry17002056-21201340.000371894125-4.54-5.050JPL: Computed at 06:54 today Pacific time based on 98 observations spanning 22.807 days (2020-Dec-04.32683 to 2020-Dec-27.13396). Diameter approximately 0.015 km. from weighted mean H=26.73.
2017 YK14JPL Sentry06002075-207511.718e-10-11.58-11.580JPL: Computed at 10:23 Jan. 20th of 2018 Pacific time based on 11 observations spanning .14126 days (2017-Dec-25.369 to 2017-Dec-25.51026). Diameter approximately 0.008 km. from weighted mean H=28.21.
2017 YD2JPL Sentry06002055-206545.86907e-07-8.03-8.080JPL: Computed at 11:11 Dec. 24th of 2017 Pacific time based on 26 observations spanning 1.1541 days (2017-Dec-23.35847 to 2017-Dec-24.51253). Diameter approximately 0.006 km. from weighted mean H=28.70.
2011 CL50JPL Sentry17002060-21191017.7309637e-05-5.42-6.260JPL: Computed at 19:55 Dec. 26th Pacific time based on 25 observations spanning 2.6354 days (2020-Dec-24.43494 to 2020-Dec-27.0703). Diameter approximately 0.014 km. from weighted mean H=26.99.

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 27 December '20

Times are UTC for when items were noted or added by The Tracking News.

1700Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2011 CL50 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 XF risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 YA1 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 YA3 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 YC3 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 YL1 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has removed 2020 YN4 as an impact risk - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y142 - Daily Orbit Update - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y143 - 2014 DY112 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y144 - 2020 YQ4 - see above
0600Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2017 YD2 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2017 YK14 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has posted 2020 YN4 as an impact risk - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y138 - 2020 YM4 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y139 - 2020 YN4 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y140 - 2020 YO4 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y141 - 2020 YP4 - see above