 Orbit before and after 2018 flyby | |
| Discovery [1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Mount Lemmon Srvy. |
| Discovery site | Mount Lemon Obs. |
| Discovery date | 26 February 2018 (first observed only) |
| Designations | |
| 2018 DV1 | |
| NEO · Aten [1][2] | |
| Orbital characteristics [2] | |
| Epoch 23 March 2018 (JD 2458200.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 5 | |
| Observation arc | 1 day |
| Aphelion | 1.1494AU |
| Perihelion | 0.8230 AU |
| 0.9862 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.1655 |
| 358 days | |
| 298.67° | |
| 1° 0m 23.04s / day | |
| Inclination | 5.1554° |
| 341.12° | |
| 281.37° | |
| Earth MOID | 0.000159 AU (0.062 LD) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| 6 m(est. at0.20)[3] 12 m(est. at0.057)[3] | |
| 28.4[2] | |
2018 DV1 is a micro-asteroid, classified as anear-Earth object of theAten group, approximately 6–12 meters (20–40 feet) in diameter. It was first observed on 26 February 2018, by astronomers of theMount Lemmon Survey atMount Lemmon Observatory, Arizona, five days prior to its sub-lunar close encounter with Earth at less than 0.3lunar distance.[1]
2018 DV1 belongs to theAten group of asteroids,[1][2] whichcross the orbit of Earth. Contrary to the much largerApollos, Atens have asemi-major axis of less than 1 AU, that is, a period less than a year (Earth).[2]
Based on anobservation arc of less than 2 days, it orbits the Sun at a distance of 0.82–1.15 AU once every 12 months (358 days; semi-major axis of 0.986 AU). Its orbit has aneccentricity of 0.17 and aninclination of 5° with respect to theecliptic.[2] The body's observation arc begins at Mount Lemmon with its first observation.[1]
On 2 March 2018, at 05:54UT, this object passed Earth at a nominal distance of 0.29 LD (0.00075 AU) which corresponds to a distance of 112,600 kilometres (70,000 miles).[2] The object also approached theMoon at a similar distance of 133,300 km (82,800 mi) the day before.[2] It was the 18th known asteroid to flyby Earth within 1 lunar distance (LD) since the start of 2018 and 6th closest. Five days earlier, a similar object,2018 DU,[4] came within 175,000 miles (284,000 km). However, the two encounters were unrelated and neither of them represent any hazard to the Earth(also seeList of asteroid close approaches to Earth in 2018 § List).[5]
2018 DV1 has a notably lowminimum orbital intersection distance with Earth of 23,800 km (0.000159 AU), or 0.06 LD.[2] The asteroid's next encounter with Earth will be on 26 February 2019 at a much larger distance of 51 LD (0.130 AU). It closest future approach is predicted to occur on 28 February 2064, then at a nominal distance of 24 LD (0.0628 AU).[2]
Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion,2018 DV1 measures between 6 and 12 meters in diameter, for anabsolute magnitude of 28.4, and an assumedalbedo between 0.057 and 0.20, which represent typical values forcarbonaceous andstony asteroids, respectively.[3] As of 2018, no rotationallightcurve of this object has been obtained fromphotometric observations. The body'srotation period,pole and shape remain unknown.[2]
Thisminor planet has neither been numbered nornamed.[1]
2018 in space | ||
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| Space probe launches  |
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| Impact events | ||
| SelectedNEOs | ||
| Exoplanets | ||
| Discoveries |
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| Novae |
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| Comets | ||
| Space exploration |
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