3-9 April '06 - A/CC Small Object Report

ACC's Small Object Report for 3-9 April 2006

A semi-automated report compiled on 9 April 2006 at 2359 UTC

There are six small objects reported in the last 168 hours, during which two were newly discovered.

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48 Hours

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Editor's note: As asteroids go, "small" is defined as having an absolute magnitude (brightness) calculated at greater than H=22.0, which converts very roughly to a diameter under 135 meters. No matter how close they come to the Earth, the astronomical community does not classify such objects as "potentially hazardous." However, as demonstrated by the mile wide (1.6 km.) Barringer Crater in Arizona, blasted out by a "small" asteroid some 50,000 years ago, there are asteroids too small to be labeled "potentially hazardous" that actually could cause severe local damage. These are sometimes called "Tunguska-class objects" (TCOs), after the 1908 event probably caused by a comet fragment or asteroid too small to be classified today as hazardous but packing enough wallop to flatten a Siberian forest area the size of a large city.
NEODyS in December 2005 changed its main Risk page to classify "Objects too small to result in heavy damage on the ground" as having "absolute magnitude > 25," which corresponds to perhaps 35 meters wide. And JPL two months earlier started flagging (with a blue background) risk-listed objects of "Estimated diameter 50 meters or less" as "not likely to cause significant damage in the event of an impact, although impact damage does depend heavily upon the specific (and usually unknown) physical properties of the object in question."
Small asteroids that come close enough to Earth to be seen have significant potential for scientific study today, and for exploration and exploitation someday. Mainly a sampling of distant asteroid populations, a few may be remnants of the event that created the Earth-Moon system.
Some of these objects are discovered while close to Earth moving across the sky quite quickly, when they are called "FMOs" or "VFMOs" (very fast moving objects). The discovery and follow-up tracking of asteroids with H>22.0 represents some of the most difficult and very best observing work being done today by amateur and professional astronomers around the world, and the page you are reading is dedicated to recognizing their ongoing successes.

Object Listings -- smallest objects first [ Alpha Index | 48 Hours | top ]

Size estimate: 42 meters per JPL H=24.51, MPC H=24.5 This object was listed from 4 until 7 April 2006 as an impact risk. JPL classifies 2006 GC as an Apollo and calculates an Earth MOID of 0.037935 AU (14.76 LD), and reports this object will pass Earth at 16.2 lunar distances (LD) on 16 April 2006. Observations are reported from the following observatories in MPECs 2006-G14, 2006-G17, 2006-G25, and 2006-G29: Spacewatch 0.9m telescope [691] 2006-04-02 0436-0526, 3 pos in MPEC 2006-G14, discovery (*) Great Shefford Obs. [J95] 2006-04-03 0122-0135, 3 pos in MPEC 2006-G14, confirmation 2006-04-04 0149-0211, 3 pos in MPEC 2006-G17, follow-up Faulkes Telescope North [F65{1}] coded to UKAPP 2006-04-05 1125-1129, 5 pos in MPEC 2006-G25, follow-up Spacewatch 1.8m telescope [291] 2006-04-07 0648-0659, 3 pos in MPEC 2006-G29, follow-up (t) 2006 GB1 (K06G01B) [ JPL Orbit Viewer | NEODyS object home | news | viewing | index | top ]

Size estimate: 46 meters per JPL H=24.35, MPC H=24.3 JPL classifies 2006 GB1 as an Apollo and calculates an Earth MOID of 0.009686 AU (3.77 LD), and reports this object will pass Earth at 14.6 LD on 27 April 2006. Observations are reported from the following observatories in MPECs 2006-G20, 2006-G29, and 2006-G30: Spacewatch 0.9m telescope [691] 2006-04-02 0418-0508, 3 pos in MPEC 2006-G20, discovery (*) Great Shefford Obs. [J95] 2006-04-03 2325-2351, 3 pos in MPEC 2006-G20, confirmation Farpoint Obs. [734] 2006-04-04 0442-0455, 4 pos in MPEC 2006-G20, confirmation Spacewatch 1.8m telescope [291] 2006-04-07 0612-0623, 3 pos in MPEC 2006-G29, follow-up 2006-04-08 0456-0508, 3 pos in MPEC 2006-G30, follow-up Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS) [G96] 2006-04-08 0513-0543, 4 pos in MPEC 2006-G30, follow-up 2006 FH (K06F00H) [ JPL Orbit Viewer | NEODyS object home | news | viewing | index | top ]

Size estimate: 46 meters per JPL H=24.35, MPC H=24.4 JPL classifies 2006 FH as an Amor and calculates an Earth MOID of 0.047142 AU (18.34 LD), and reports this object will pass Earth at 18.6 LD on 15 April 2006. Observations are reported from the following observatories in MPECs 2006-G11 and 2006-G30: Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS) [G96] 2006-04-02 0629-0655, 4 pos in MPEC 2006-G11, follow-up Roeser Obs. [163] 2006-04-02 2147-2237, 5 pos in MPEC 2006-G11, follow-up Linz Obs. [540] 2006-04-08 1907-1930, 4 pos in MPEC 2006-G30, follow-up See also information from the week ending 2 April 2006. 2006 FV (K06F00V) [ JPL Orbit Viewer | NEODyS object home | news | viewing | index | top ]

Size estimate: 81 meters per JPL H=23.10, MPC H=23.1 JPL classifies 2006 FV as an Amor and calculates an Earth MOID of 0.107905 AU (41.99 LD). Lowell Observatory reports 2006 FV has an MOID of 0.03819 AU (14.86 LD) with Mars. Observations are reported from the following observatories in MPEC 2006-G29: Spacewatch 1.8m telescope [291] 2006-04-07 1033-1044, 3 pos in MPEC 2006-G29, follow-up See also information from the week ending 2 April 2006. 2006 FH36 (K06F36H) [ JPL Orbit Viewer | NEODyS object home | news | viewing | index | top ]

Size estimate: 89 meters per JPL H=22.89, MPC H=22.9 JPL classifies 2006 FH36 as an Aten and calculates an Earth MOID of 0.015416 AU (6.00 LD), and reports this object passed Earth at 11.6 LD on 30 March 2006. Lowell Observatory reports 2006 FH36 has an MOID of 0.04381 AU (17.05 LD) with Venus. Observations are reported from the following observatories in MPECs 2006-G25 and 2006-G29: North Ryde Obs. [423] 2006-04-05 0855-0937, 3 pos in MPEC 2006-G25, follow-up Siding Spring Survey (SSS) [E12] 2006-04-06 0907-0911, 6 pos in MPEC 2006-G25, follow-up 2006-04-07 0901-0901, 2 pos in MPEC 2006-G29, follow-up Reedy Creek Obs. [428] 2006-04-07 0921-0929, 3 pos in MPEC 2006-G29, follow-up See also information from the week ending 2 April 2006. 2006 CL9 (K06C09L) [ JPL Orbit Viewer | NEODyS object home | news | viewing | index | top ]

Size estimate: 96 meters per JPL H=22.73, MPC H=22.8 JPL classifies 2006 CL9 as an Amor and calculates an Earth MOID of 0.039810 AU (15.49 LD), and reports this object passed Earth at 18.6 LD on 25 Feb. 2006. Observations are reported from the following observatories in MPEC 2006-G22: Panker Obs. [A32] 2006-03-23 2209-2254, 3 pos in MPEC 2006-G22, follow-up See also information from the week ending 26 March 2006.

48+120 Hours [ Objects Listings (size order) | Object Index (alpha/xref) | top ]

Observations of six small objects were reported during the last 168 hours: 2006 CL9, 2006 FH, 2006 FH36, 2006 FV, 2006 GB1 & 2006 GC in MPECs: 2006-G11 time-stamped 2006 Apr. 3, 06:08 UT - Daily Orbit Update 2006-G14 time-stamped 2006 Apr. 3, 14:09 UT - 2006 GC 2006-G17 time-stamped 2006 Apr. 4, 06:07 UT - Daily Orbit Update 2006-G20 time-stamped 2006 Apr. 4, 15:49 UT - 2006 GB1 2006-G22 time-stamped 2006 Apr. 5, 06:07 UT - Daily Orbit Update 2006-G25 time-stamped 2006 Apr. 7, 06:08 UT - Daily Orbit Update 2006-G29 time-stamped 2006 Apr. 8, 06:07 UT - Daily Orbit Update 2006-G30 time-stamped 2006 Apr. 9, 06:08 UT - Daily Orbit Update Date & times for other sources that were parsed to compile this page: JPL Close Approaches, downloaded at 2006 April 9, 2352 UTC JPL NEO Orbital Elements, downloaded at 2006 April 9, 2355 UTC Lowell Observatory Orbit intersections, time-stamped 2006 Apr 09 1036:20 UTC MPC NEA.DAT from MPC mirror, downloaded at 2006 April 9, 2349 UTC Risk monitoring sites, as of A/CC's check at 2006 April 9, 1634 UTC (see CRT page) Some observation sets have MPEC codes in parentheses, such as (*) denoting discovery.

Viewing Opportunities for Small Objects [ news | size order | alpha order | top ]

This compilation shows 21 small objects as being currently in view, including 15 not reported in the last seven days. Viewing by date order - see this list also by designation order Object View until MOID AU Dia H Arc Notes (calc date) ---------- ---------- -------- --- ----- --- - ----------------------- 2006 FW33 2006-04-11 0.065878 320 20.12 3 - probably not small - (29 March) 2006 DM 2006-04-12 0.078535 51 24.09 31 - past obs. - (29 Feb.) 2003 FK1 2006-04-14 0.013874 112 22.41 8 - faint recov. poss. - (22 Jan.) 2006 DN 2006-04-15 0.004389 43 24.48 32 - past obs. - (29 March) 2006 EB1 2006-04-16 0.035213 68 23.48 3 - past obs. - (12 March) 2005 XO4 2006-04-20 0.021856 126 22.14 23 - past obs. - (7 Jan.) 2006 GC 2006-04-22 0.037935 42 24.51 5 - was risk listed - (8 April) 2006 FV 2006-04-25 0.107905 81 23.10 14 - (8 April) 2006 EE 2006-04-27 0.060515 70 23.41 8 - past obs. - (12 March) 2006 DT63 2006-04-29 0.267903 120 22.25 24 - past obs. - (29 March) 2006 GB1 2006-04-30 0.009686 46 24.35 6 - (9 April) 2002 FT6 2006-05-01 0.040999 120 22.26 3op - (11 Feb.) 2006 EY 2006-05-04 0.048691 31 25.16 21 - past obs. - (29 March) 2002 GK1 2006-05-05 0.004309 114 22.36 6 - faint recov. poss. - (22 Jan.) 2003 SN214 2006-05-09 0.074328 87 22.94 34 - (11 Feb.) 2002 GD10 2006-05-11 0.060027 121 22.23 85 - faint recov. poss. - (15 Dec.) 2006 FH 2006-05-18 0.047142 46 24.35 11 - (9 April) 2006 CL9 2006-05-26 0.039810 96 22.73 48 - (5 April) 2006 CW 2006-06-01 0.153258 110 22.45 45 - past obs. - (29 March) 2006 FH36 2006-06-04 0.015416 89 22.89 7 - (8 April) 2005 YA37 2006-07-09 0.035667 111 22.43 26 - past obs. - (4 Feb.) Coming into view soon: 2004 RQ252 2006-05-22 0.000443 115 22.34 23 - risk listed - >16 April - (5 March) Viewing by designation order - see also Viewing by date order Object View until MOID AU Dia H Arc Notes (calc date) ---------- ---------- -------- --- ----- --- - ----------------------- 2006 GB1 2006-04-30 0.009686 46 24.35 6 - (9 April) 2006 GC 2006-04-22 0.037935 42 24.51 5 - was risk listed - (8 April) 2006 FH36 2006-06-04 0.015416 89 22.89 7 - (8 April) 2006 FW33 2006-04-11 0.065878 320 20.12 3 - probably not small - (29 March) 2006 FV 2006-04-25 0.107905 81 23.10 14 - (8 April) 2006 FH 2006-05-18 0.047142 46 24.35 11 - (9 April) 2006 EB1 2006-04-16 0.035213 68 23.48 3 - past obs. - (12 March) 2006 EY 2006-05-04 0.048691 31 25.16 21 - past obs. - (29 March) 2006 EE 2006-04-27 0.060515 70 23.41 8 - past obs. - (12 March) 2006 DT63 2006-04-29 0.267903 120 22.25 24 - past obs. - (29 March) 2006 DN 2006-04-15 0.004389 43 24.48 32 - past obs. - (29 March) 2006 DM 2006-04-12 0.078535 51 24.09 31 - past obs. - (29 Feb.) 2006 CL9 2006-05-26 0.039810 96 22.73 48 - (5 April) 2006 CW 2006-06-01 0.153258 110 22.45 45 - past obs. - (29 March) 2005 YA37 2006-07-09 0.035667 111 22.43 26 - past obs. - (4 Feb.) 2005 XO4 2006-04-20 0.021856 126 22.14 23 - past obs. - (7 Jan.) 2004 RQ252 2006-05-22 0.000443 115 22.34 23 - risk listed - >16 April - (5 March) 2003 SN214 2006-05-09 0.074328 87 22.94 34 - (11 Feb.) 2003 FK1 2006-04-14 0.013874 112 22.41 8 - faint recov. poss. - (22 Jan.) 2002 GD10 2006-05-11 0.060027 121 22.23 85 - faint recov. poss. - (15 Dec.) 2002 GK1 2006-05-05 0.004309 114 22.36 6 - faint recov. poss. - (22 Jan.) 2002 FT6 2006-05-01 0.040999 120 22.26 3op - (11 Feb.) Out-of-view date based on MPES solar elongation <40° and/or magnitude V>22.0 at 1200 UT. (Not factored in is any lunar interference with viewing.) Objects are linked in the left-most column only if observed in the last seven days, while objects with earlier small-object reporting are linked under "Notes." Diameter ("Dia") is in meters, a very rough estimate from brightness (H). Observing "Arc" is from MPES in days or number of oppositions.

Small object observation cross index [ size order | 48 Hours | viewing | top ]

Object

Observed by MPC code

A32

163, 540, G96

423, 428, E12

291