is a near-Earth object that is also horseshoe companion to the Earth like 3753 Cruithne.
Discovery, orbit and physical properties
was discovered by E. J. Christensen on 6 May 2006, observing for the Catalina Sky Survey. Its orbit is characterized by low eccentricity (0.083), low inclination (1.44º) and a semi-major axis of 1.01 AU. Upon discovery, it was classified as an Apollo asteroid but also an Earth crosser by the Minor Planet Center. The orbit is based on 76 observations spanning a data-arc of 4 days. has an absolute magnitude (H) of 28.4 which gives a characteristic diameter of about 9 meters.
Impact risk
It is listed on the Sentry Risk Table with a 1 in 210 chance of impacting Earth on 3 May 2074. The nominal best-fit orbit shows that will be from Earth on 3 May 2074. An impact from this object would be less severe than the Chelyabinsk meteor.
Horseshoe companion to the Earth and orbital evolution
Recent calculations indicate that it follows a horseshoe orbit with respect to the Earth. It had a close encounter with the Earth on 10 May 2006, at . Its orbital evolution is very chaotic and its orbit is difficult to predict beyond a few hundred years. Its orbit matches the expected properties of that of an object in the Arjuna-class.
Origin
It may have been originated within the Venus–Earth–Mars region or in the main asteroid belt like other near-Earth objects, then transition to Amor-class asteroid before entering Earth's co-orbital region.
See also
3753 Cruithne
Notes
This is assuming an albedo of 0.20–0.04.
References
Further reading
A resonant family of dynamically cold small bodies in the near-Earth asteroid belt de la Fuente Marcos, C., de la Fuente Marcos, R. 2013, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters, Vol. 434, Issue 1, pp. L1–L5.
External links
data at MPC
Earth Impact Risk Summary
MPEC 2006-J38 : 2006 JY26 (Discovery MPEC)
Minor planet object articles (unnumbered) Discoveries by the Catalina Sky Survey Earth-crossing asteroids