(480808) 1994 XL1 is a sub-kilometer asteroid, classified as near-Earth object and potentially hazardous asteroid of the Aten group, approximately 200 meters (700 feet) in diameter. It was discovered on 6 December 1994, by Scottish–Australian astronomer Robert McNaught at Siding Spring Observatory in Australia.[1] It was one of the first asteroids discovered to have a semi-major axis less than Venus.[citation needed]
 | |
| Discovery[1][2] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | R. H. McNaught |
| Discovery site | Siding Spring Obs. |
| Discovery date | 6 December 1994 |
| Designations | |
| (480808) 1994 XL1 | |
| 1994 XL1 | |
| NEO · Aten · PHA[1][3] | |
| Orbital characteristics[3] | |
| Epoch 30 January 2013 (JD 2456322.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 0 | |
| Observation arc | 21.99 yr (8,033 days) |
| Aphelion | 1.0240 AU |
| Perihelion | 0.3178 AU |
| 0.6709 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.5263 |
| 0.55 yr (201 days) | |
| 205.64° | |
| 1° 47m 36.96s / day | |
| Inclination | 28.167° |
| 252.68° | |
| 356.54° | |
| Earth MOID | 0.0365 AU · 14.2 LD |
| Physical characteristics | |
Mean diameter | 0.2 km (est. at 0.20)[4] |
| 20.9[3] | |
Orbit and classification edit
1994 XL1 orbits the Sun at a distance of 0.3–1.0 AU once every 0 years and 7 months (201 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.53 and an inclination of 28° with respect to the ecliptic.[3] No precoveries were taken, and no prior identifications were made. The body's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation.[1]
Close encounter edit
The asteroid has an Earth minimum orbital intersection distance of 0.0365 AU (5,460,000 km), which translates into 14.2 lunar distances.[3] It passed 0.03709 AU (5,550,000 km) from Earth on 6 December 1994.[5] On 4 December 2044, it will pass again at 0.03637 AU (5,440,000 km) from Earth.[5]
Physical characteristics edit
1994 XL1 has not been observed by any of the space-based surveys such as the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS, the Japanese Akari satellite, and NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission. Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, 1994 XL1 measures approximately 0.2 kilometers in diameter assuming an albedo of 0.20, which is a typical value for stony S-type asteroids.[4]
As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of this object has been obtained. The body's rotation period, shape and poles remain unknown.[6]
Naming and numbering edit
After its first observation in 1994, this minor planet was numbered 23 years later by the Minor Planet Center on 12 January 2017 (M.P.C. 112958),[7]: 698 after its last observation with the LCO–A 1-meter global telescope station at Sutherland, South Africa, on 6 December 2016 (K91). As of 2018, the asteroid has not been named .[1][3]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "480808 (1994 XL1)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- ^ "MPEC 1994-X04 : 1994 XL1". Minor Planet Center. 9 December 1994. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 480808 (1994 XL1)" (2016-12-06 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- ^ a b "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS/JPL. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- ^ a b "JPL Close-Approach Data: (1994 XL1)" (2011-12-17 last obs (arc=17.03 years)). Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ^ "LCDB Data for (480808)". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
External links edit
- Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB), query form (info Archived 16 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine)
- Dictionary of Minor Planet Names, Google books
- Asteroids and comets rotation curves, CdR – Observatoire de Genève, Raoul Behrend
- (480808) 1994 XL1 at NeoDyS-2, Near Earth Objects—Dynamic Site
- (480808) 1994 XL1 at ESA–space situational awareness
- (480808) 1994 XL1 at the JPL Small-Body Database
