(417634) 2006 XG1 provisional designation 2006 XG1, is a sub-kilometer asteroid, classified as near-Earth object and potentially hazardous asteroid of the Apollo group, that had a low but non-zero probability of impacting Earth on 31 October 2041. The asteroid was discovered on 20 September 2006, by astronomers of the Catalina Sky Survey, using a dedicated 0.68-meter telescope at Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona, United States.[2][3][5]

(417634) 2006 XG1
Discovery[1][2][3]
Discovered byCSS
Discovery siteMount Lemmon Obs.
Discovery date11 December 2006
Designations
(417634) 2006 XG1
2006 XG1
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc8.09 yr (2,956 days)
Aphelion3.9218 AU
Perihelion0.9943 AU
2.4580 AU
Eccentricity0.5955
3.85 yr (1,408 days)
287.03°
0° 15m 20.88s / day
Inclination20.493°
38.478°
344.11°
Earth MOID0.0157 AU (6.1 LD)
Physical characteristics
0.418±0.081 km[4]
Mass4.2×1011 kg (estimate)
0.154±0.061[4]
18.5[1]

Description

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Originally listed with a Torino Scale hazard rating of 0, this was raised to a rating of 1 on 22 December 2006 as a result of additional observations and refinement of the orbital calculations.[5] However, on 9 January 2007 it was returned to a rating of 0. It was removed from the Sentry Risk Table on 7 February 2007.[6]

It is now known that the asteroid will not make a close approach to the Earth in 2041.[1] On 31 October 2041, the asteroid will be 1.69 AU (253,000,000 km; 157,000,000 mi) from the Earth.[7][8] 2006 XG1 passed 0.0298 AU (4,460,000 km; 2,770,000 mi) from asteroid 87 Sylvia on 20 June 1969.[1] It is also a Mars-crosser asteroid.

Physical characteristics

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According to the survey carried out by the NEOWISE mission of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, 2006 XG1 measures 418 meters in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.154.[4] Previously, JPL's Sentry System estimated a diameter of 670 meters with a mass of 4.2×1011 kg.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 417634 (2006 XG1)" (2015-01-14 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "417634 (2006 XG1)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b "MPEC 2006-X35 : 2006 XG1 – (K06X01G)". IAU Minor Planet Center. 11 December 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Mainzer, A.; Grav, T.; Masiero, J.; Bauer, J.; Cutri, R. M.; McMillan, R. S.; et al. (November 2012). "Physical Parameters of Asteroids Estimated from the WISE 3-Band Data and NEOWISE Post-Cryogenic Survey". The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 760 (1): 6. arXiv:1210.0502. Bibcode:2012ApJ...760L..12M. doi:10.1088/2041-8205/760/1/L12. S2CID 41459166. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  5. ^ a b Fraser Cain (27 December 2006). "Close Call with Asteroid 2006 XG1 in 2041". Universe Today. Retrieved 28 December 2007.
  6. ^ "Sentry: Earth Impact Monitoring – Removed Objects". NASA/JPL CNEOS – Center for Near-Earth Object Studies. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  7. ^ "NEODyS-2 EPHEMERIDES for 2006XG1 on 2041-Oct-31". Near Earth Objects – Dynamic Site. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  8. ^ Horizons output. "Observer Table for Asteroid (2006 XG1)". Retrieved 24 July 2011. (Observer Location: Geocentric)
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