With no problems reported from the public test of our new animation-enhanced home page announced two days ago, we have today switched that in as A/CC's home page. This one particular page requires HTML5 support and scripts (specifically, JavaScript) must not be turned off. Otherwise, an alternate page has all the same object details and links, just no animated sky chart showing close-passing objects. Our new home page was developed with older FireFox (3.6.3) and should work with most current-version browsers, including IE10 (in beta for Win7). Your feedback is welcomed.
Contents on 22 February '12
- Traffic Report -- six objects
- Radar Astrometry -- one object
- IAU Minor Planet Center
- NEOCP Activity -- 14 listings
- New MPECs -- two MPECs
- Observers -- 26 observers
- Impact Risk Monitoring -- three objects
- Chronology
Asteroid/Comet Connection (A/CC) Resources:
- Consolidated Risk Tables - the CRT page (archive)
Of 445 risk-listed objects, 32 have had news in the last 31 days. Updated at 1824 UTC on 22 Feb.
- Ephemerides for risk-rated & nearby objects + potential mission destinations
- News image catalog
- News old archive & Small Objects Archive
- Object Links - mainly for radar targets & close passers - updated 14 Feb.
- Observing Campaigns
The latest A/CC news is available via framed access,
RSS news feed, or redirection. - Note: A/CC has a main Web site and also a backup site with its own duplicate RSS news feed.
Navigation tips: Use the << and >> arrows on the menus for each regular section (Observers, Risks, etc.) to move to the previous and next day's news for that section. Use the Index menu item to access specific days through a calendar interface. And use the all-up news archive to access news from any time since A/CC began in early 2002. To keep track of what's new each day, watch the Chronology section.
Traffic Report on 22 February '12
Six objects reported inside ten LD
There are six asteroids reported passing inside ten lunar distances (LD) of our planet today. Within Earth's Hill sphere, risk-listed 2012 DX comes its closest to the Moon this time around, reaching 2.08 LD at 0127 UTC, and 2012 DZ comes its closest to Earth on this passage, reaching 2.52 LD at 2301 UTC. More distant, 2012 DF4 is outbound from 4.22 to 7.05 LD, risk-listed 2012 CS46 comes in from 7.0 to 5.5 LD*, 2012 DY comes inside ten LD, traveling from 10.47 to 9.65 LD, and radar target 2011 CP4 comes inside, traveling from 14.16 to 9.95 LD.
Coming our way, 2008 EJ85 arrives inside ten LD on March 4th.
This report was updated at 0742 UTC with follow-up in today's DOU MPEC for 2012 DF4, 2012 DZ, 2012 DX, and 2011 CP4, as well as departed 2012 CU, 2012 BA102, and 2012 BA77. This report was previously updated at 0233 UTC.
Notes: Ten LD has no astronomical significance but is a useful reporting boundary. Earth's Hill sphere (of gravitational influence) is estimated to extend out to around 3.89 LD. Distances are interpreted by A/CC from JPL Horizons data. "LD*" indicates some passage uncertainty. See also today's timeline plus current additional details and ephemerides.
Radar Astrometry on 22 February '12
Radar observation of one object
The JPL Solar System Dynamics Group Radar Astrometry database has added or updated the following small-body radar observing work:
Data update noted at 0233 UTC when the database was dated 21 Feb.
- 2009 AV from Arecibo (Feb. 21.48 range)
NEOCP Activity on 22 February '12
The MPC's NEO Confirmation Page has 14 listings
When last checked at 2359 UTC today, the Minor Planet Center's Near Earth Object discovery Confirmation Page (NEOCP) had fourteen objects listed. Of these, seven were "one nighters." So far The Tracking News has counted a total of sixteen listings on the NEOCP today.
New MPECs on 22 February '12
Minor Planet Electronic Circulars
As of last check at 2359 UTC, there have been two MPECs posted today from the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- MPEC 2012-D39 time-stamped "06:03 UT" - Daily Orbit Update - see below
- MPEC 2012-D40 time-stamped "20:39 UT" - 2012 DO8
MPEC 2012-D40 - "20:39 UT" - 2012 DO8
- K12D08O 2012 DO8 (small asteroid, H=22.1 ~129m) from the Spacewatch 0.9m telescope (Feb. 21.44-49p3), Magdalena Ridge Obs. (MRO) (Feb. 21.52-54p4), the Spacewatch 1.8m telescope (Feb. 21.53p3, 22.35-36p3 & 22.51p2), St. Pardon de Conques Obs. (Feb. 22.09-13p3), Schiaparelli Obs. (Feb. 22.13-15p2), and Astronomical Research Obs. Westfield (Feb. 22.39-41p3)
<< DOU on 22 Feb. '12 >> MPEC 2012-D39 - "06:03 UT" - Daily Orbit Update
- Observations of risk-listed objects
- K12D00X 2012 DX (small asteroid, arc=2 days, H=27.1 ~13m, close passer) from the Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) (Feb. 21.48p6) and the Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS) (Feb. 21.50-52p7)
- K12C00U 2012 CU (small asteroid, arc=19 days, H=26.1 ~20m, close passer) from MRO (Feb. 21.23-25p4 at R=21.5-22.6)
- K12BA2A 2012 BA102 (small asteroid, arc=22 days, H=26.6 ~16m, close passer) from MRO (Feb. 21.35-39p3 at R=22.5-7)
- K12B77A 2012 BA77 (small asteroid, arc=5 days, H=25.8 ~23m, close passer) from David Tholen's team on Mauna Kea (Jan. 29.45p3)
- Observations of recently (no longer) risk-listed objects
- K12D00Z 2012 DZ (small asteroid, arc=2 days, H=26.1 ~20m, close passer) from Mt. John Obs. (Feb. 21.45p6)
- K12D00N 2012 DN (arc=5 days, H=18.6 ~645m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.25-26p3)
- K12C29C 2012 CC29 (small asteroid, Q=4.298 AU, arc=8 days, H=22.5 ~107m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.41p3)
- K12B86M 2012 BM86 (almost small, arc=23 days, H=21.9 ~141m) from Mt. John Obs. (Feb. 21.56-57p4 & 21.63p4)
- Observations of close-passing objects
- K12D04F 2012 DF4 (arc=5 days, H=25.9 ~22m, close passer) from Great Shefford Obs. (Feb. 21.23-26p7)
- K11C04P 2011 CP4 (q=0.118 AU, arc=4 opp, H=21.2 ~195m, close passer, radar support) from LINEAR (Feb. 21.42-45p3) and the Siding Spring Survey (SSS) (Feb. 21.78p8)
- Observation campaigns (radar support, potential mission destinations)
- J2642 192642 1999 RD32 (radar) from GiaGa Obs. (Feb. 21.94-98p2)
- 96631 96631 1999 FP59 (PMD) from CSS (Feb. 21.31-32p4)
- 29075 29075 1950 DA (radar) from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.81p2 & 16.86p1)
-- Potential mission destinations list & ephemerides -- Planetary radar schedules: Arecibo & Goldstone - Observations of small asteroids (H>22.0)
- K12D04L 2012 DL4 (arc=2 days, H=24.8 ~37m) from Robert Holmes via Cerro Tololo Inter-American Obs. (CTIO) (Feb. 21.03p4) and Mt. John Obs. (Feb. 21.54-55p4)
- K12D04K 2012 DK4 (arc=2 days, H=23.6 ~65m) from Holmes/CTIO (Feb. 21.01-03p5) and Mt. John Obs. (Feb. 21.47p4)
- K12C46O 2012 CO46 (arc=6 days, H=22.7 ~98m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.44p3)
- K12C36R 2012 CR36 (arc=6 days, H=23.4 ~71m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.47p3)
- K12C29M 2012 CM29 (arc=8 days, H=22.3 ~117m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.31-32p3)
- K12C29L 2012 CL29 (arc=8 days, H=23.4 ~71m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.32-33p3) and Mt. John Obs. (Feb. 21.59-60p3)
- K08P01F 2008 PF1 (arc=2 opp, H=22.1 ~129m) from LINEAR (Feb. 21.33-38p5)
- Observations of other asteroidal objects
- K12D04J 2012 DJ4 (arc=2 days, H=20.3 ~295m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.30p3)
- K12D04H 2012 DH4 (arc=4 days, H=20.6 ~257m) from Terskol Obs. (Feb. 20.93-94p3), Mt. John Obs. (Feb. 21.58p3), and Mandi Obs. (Feb. 21.94-95p2)
- K12D04G 2012 DG4 from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.42-43p2)
- K12D00O 2012 DO (arc=5 days, H=20.3 ~295m) from Holmes/CTIO (Feb. 21.01-04p5) and Mt. John Obs. (Feb. 21.53p4)
- K12C29D 2012 CD29 (q=0.360 AU, arc=8 days, H=19.9 ~355m) from GiaGa Obs. (Feb. 22.02-03p2) and Betelgeuse Station (Feb. 22.02-03p6)
- K12C17C 2012 CC17 (arc=19 days, H=20.5 ~269m) from Verona Obs. (Feb. 21.88-90p4)
- K12BD4J 2012 BJ134 (q=0.374 AU, Q=4.139 AU, arc=34 days, H=18.2 ~776m) from Nonndorf Obs. (Feb. 20.89-90p3), Petit Jean Mtn. South Obs. (PJMSO) (Feb. 21.40-41p7), GiaGa Obs. (Feb. 21.98-00p2), and Betelgeuse Sta. (Feb. 22.01-02p6)
- K12BC4E 2012 BE124 (q=0.228 AU, Q=4.839 AU, arc=22 days, H=19.3 ~467m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.36p3)
- K12BC4D 2012 BD124 (arc=22 days, H=18.9 ~562m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.34p2)
- K12BC4C 2012 BC124 (i=41.7°, arc=23 days, H=19.7 ~389m) from GiaGa Obs. (Feb. 21.90-91p2)
- K12B77N 2012 BN77 (Q=4.033 AU, arc=27 days, H=19.4 ~446m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.38-39p3)
- K12B77D 2012 BD77 (arc=26 days, H=21.6 ~162m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.37p3)
- K12B77B 2012 BB77 (arc=27 days, H=19.0 ~537m) from Mt. John Obs. (Feb. 21.52p4)
- K12B76Z 2012 BZ76 (Q=4.047 AU, arc=29 days, H=18.8 ~589m) from Mt. John Obs. (Feb. 21.48-49p6) and Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 22.18-19p6)
- K12B23T 2012 BT23 (arc=33 days, H=19.0 ~537m) from Cupillari Obs. (Feb. 21.02-05p3) and Madonna di Dossobuono Obs. (Feb. 21.82-83p3)
- K12B20C 2012 BC20 (arc=32 days, H=18.3 ~741m) from LINEAR (Feb. 21.34-39p5) and Betelgeuse Sta. (Feb. 22.03p6)
- K12A11A 2012 AA11 (arc=36 days, H=20.0 ~339m) from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.80-85p4)
- K11Y15V 2011 YV15 (Q=4.394 AU, arc=3 opp, H=17.1 ~1.29 km) from PJMSO (Feb. 21.41p5)
- K11X03O 2011 XO3 (Q=5.385 AU, arc=80 days, H=16.6 ~1.62 km) from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.79-84p6)
- K11WD4V 2011 WV134 (Q=4.676 AU, arc=2 opp, H=17.0 ~1.35 km) from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.79-80p2 & 16.84p2) and LINEAR (Feb. 21.10-15p5)
- K11SA2L 2011 SL102 (arc=3 opp, H=18.2 ~776m) from Nonndorf Obs. (Feb. 20.87-88p3) and Verona Obs. (Feb. 21.91-94p4)
- K11E12B 2011 EB12 (arc=2 opp, H=21.2 ~195m) from LINEAR (Feb. 21.34-37p3)
- K11D00V 2011 DV (arc=2 opp, H=20.6 ~257m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.52p3)
- K10R42J 2010 RJ42 (arc=2 opp, H=19.6 ~407m) from SSS (Feb. 21.63-65p5)
- K10M51N 2010 MN51 (arc=2 opp, H=18.5 ~676m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.50p2)
- K10JF1M 2010 JM151 (arc=3 opp, H=19.6 ~407m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 22.23-24p3)
- K07D08F 2007 DF8 (arc=2 opp, H=20.3 ~295m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 20.51p2)
- K07B48X 2007 BX48 (arc=3 opp, H=20.1 ~323m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 22.22-23p3)
- K06V13Y 2006 VY13 (Q=4.718 AU, arc=2 opp, H=17.3 ~1.17 km) from CSS (Feb. 21.49-52p2)
- K06S05W 2006 SW5 (arc=3 opp, H=19.3 ~467m) from Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 22.10p3)
- K06A08L 2006 AL8 (q=0.377 AU, Q=6.300 AU, arc=2 opp, H=18.4 ~708m) from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.81p1 & 16.86p2) and Madonna di Dossobuono Obs. (Feb. 21.84-85p3)
- K02D05J 2002 DJ5 (arc=4 opp, H=19.9 ~355m) from CSS (Feb. 21.31-32p4) and Spacewatch 0.9m (Feb. 22.17-18p2)
- K02C46W 2002 CW46 (arc=4 opp, H=18.8 ~589m) from Spacewatch 0.9m (Feb. 21.37-42p3)
- J98K03N 1998 KN3 (q=0.195 AU, arc=3 opp, H=18.4 ~708m) from CSS (Feb. 21.45-47p4)
- J94N00K 1994 NK (arc=2 opp, H=19.9 ~355m) from MLS (Feb. 21.40-47p8), MRO (Feb. 21.43-46p4), and Spacewatch 1.8m (Feb. 21.45-46p3)
- V1554 311554 2006 BQ147 from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.80-85p5)
- T4739 294739 2008 CM from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.79-82p4)
- R5558 275558 1999 RH33 from GiaGa Obs. (Feb. 21.97-99p2)
- K9924 209924 2005 WS55 from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.79p2 & 16.84p2)
- G3696 163696 2003 EB50 from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.78p2 & 16.83p1)
- G2186 162186 1999 OP3 from Cupillari Obs. (Feb. 21.02-05p3)
- F3953 153953 2002 AD9 from MLS (Feb. 21.43-45p4 at V=21.6-22.2)
- E3651 143651 2003 QO104 from Cupillari Obs. (Feb. 21.03-06p3)
- E2563 142563 2002 TR69 from CSS (Feb. 21.45-47p4)
- E1531 141531 2002 GB from Spacewatch 0.9m (Feb. 21.51-54p3)
- D7805 137805 1999 YK5 from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.78p2)
- 68063 68063 2000 YJ66 from Naef Obs. (Feb. 21.86-88p2)
- 42286 42286 2001 TN41 from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.78-81p3)
- 36284 36284 2000 DM8 from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.77-80p4)
- 32906 32906 1994 RH from Cupillari Obs. (Feb. 21.02-06p3)
- 24475 24475 2000 VN2 from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.81p2 & 16.86p2)
- 16912 16912 Rhiannon (1998 EP8) from Spacewatch 0.9m (Feb. 21.36-41p3)
- 08567 8567 1996 HW1 from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.80-84p4) and LINEAR (Feb. 21.16-21p4)
- 07977 7977 1977 QQ5 from CSS (Feb. 21.34-35p4)
- 07358 7358 Oze (1995 YA3) from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.78p2 & 16.83p2)
- 05587 5587 1990 SB from CSS (Feb. 21.42-44p4)
- 01943 1943 Anteros (1973 EC) from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.78-83p6)
- 01866 1866 Sisyphus (1972 XA) from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.77p2 & 16.82p2)
- 01627 1627 Ivar (1929 SH) from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.81p2 & 16.86p2)
- 01620 1620 Geographos (1951 RA) from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.80p2 & 16.85p2)
- 01036 1036 Ganymed (1924 TD) from New Millennium Obs. (Feb. 16.79p2 & 16.84p2)
Observers on 22 February '12
A total of 26 observers appear in today's MPECs.
| Code | Observer / observatory |
|---|---|
| 251 | Arecibo in Puerto Rico, 1 in radar -- 2009 AV |
| H21 | Astronomical Research Obs. Westfield in Illinois, 1 in MPEC 2012-D40 -- 2012 DO8 |
| B75 | Betelgeuse Station in Italy, 3 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 CD29, 2012 BJ134, 2012 BC20 |
| 703 | Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) in Arizona, 8 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 DX, 2006 VY13, 2002 DJ5, 1998 KN3, 96631, 142563, 7977, 5587 |
| 807| | Robert Holmes in Illinois via Cerro Tololo Inter-American Obs. (CTIO) in Chile, 3 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 DO, 2012 DL4, 2012 DK4 |
| I17 | Cupillari Obs. in Pennsylvania, 4 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 BT23, 32906, 162186, 143651 |
| 203 | GiaGa Obs. in Italy, 5 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 CD29, 2012 BJ134, 2012 BC124, 275558, 192642 |
| J95 | Great Shefford Obs. in England, 1 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 DF4 |
| 704 | LINEAR in New Mexico, 6 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 BC20, 2011 WV134, 2011 EB12, 2011 CP4, 2008 PF1, 8567 |
| 560 | Madonna di Dossobuono Obs. in Italy, 2 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 BT23, 2006 AL8 |
| H01 | Magdalena Ridge Obs. (MRO) in New Mexico, 4 in MPECs 2012-D39 & 2012-D40 -- 2012 DO8, 2012 CU, 2012 BA102, 1994 NK |
| B28 | Mandi Obs. in Italy, 1 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 DH4 |
| 5682 | David Tholen's team on Mauna Kea in Hawaii, 1 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 BA77 |
| 474 | Mt. John Obs. in New Zealand, 9 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 DZ, 2012 DO, 2012 DL4, 2012 DK4, 2012 DH4, 2012 CL29, 2012 BZ76, 2012 BM86, 2012 BB77 |
| G96 | Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS) in Arizona, 3 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 DX, 1994 NK, 153953 |
| A13 | Naef Obs. in Switzerland, 1 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 68063 |
| A24 | New Millennium Obs. in Italy, 20 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 AA11, 2011 XO3, 2011 WV134, 2006 AL8, 42286, 36284, 311554, 294739, 29075, 24475, 209924, 163696, 137805, 8567, 7358, 1943, 1866, 1627, 1620, 1036 |
| C47 | Nonndorf Obs. in Austria, 2 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 BJ134, 2011 SL102 |
| H45 | Petit Jean Mtn. South Obs. (PJMSO) in Arkansas, 2 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 BJ134, 2011 YV15 |
| 204 | Schiaparelli Obs. in Italy, 1 in MPEC 2012-D40 -- 2012 DO8 |
| E12 | Siding Spring Survey (SSS) in New South Wales, 2 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2011 CP4, 2010 RJ42 |
| 691 | Spacewatch 0.9m telescope in Arizona, 5 in MPECs 2012-D39 & 2012-D40 -- 2012 DO8, 2002 DJ5, 2002 CW46, 16912, 141531 |
| 291 | Spacewatch 1.8m telescope in Arizona, 21 in MPECs 2012-D39 & 2012-D40 -- 2012 DO8, 2012 DN, 2012 DJ4, 2012 DG4, 2012 CR36, 2012 CO46, 2012 CM29, 2012 CL29, 2012 CC29, 2012 BZ76, 2012 BN77, 2012 BE124, 2012 BD77, 2012 BD124, 2011 DV, 2010 MN51, 2010 JM151, 2007 DF8, 2007 BX48, 2006 SW5, 1994 NK |
| I93 | St. Pardon de Conques Obs. in France, 1 in MPEC 2012-D40 -- 2012 DO8 |
| B18 | Terskol Obs. in Russia, 1 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 DH4 |
| A48 | Verona Obs. in Italy, 2 in MPEC 2012-D39 -- 2012 CC17, 2011 SL102 |
| For a list of all participating observatories that have Web addresses, see A/CC's Observatory Links page. | |
Impact Risk Monitoring on 22 February '12
| 0000NNN000 Object | Risk Monitor | When Noted UTC | 0000T0000 Year Range | VI # | 000NN00 Prob Cum | T0000 PS Cum | T0000 PS Max | T S | Notes for Today's Latest Risk Assessments |
| 2012 CU | JPL Sentry | 1823 | 2040-2100 | 5 | 1.3e-06 | -6.59 | -6.85 | 0 | JPL: "Analysis based on 48 observations spanning 18.849 days (2012-Feb-02.40401 to 2012-Feb-21.2528)." Diameter approximately 0.021 km. from mean, weighted H=26.0. |
| 2012 BA102 | JPL Sentry | 1823 | 2104-2112 | 3 | 6.0e-06 | -6.38 | -6.39 | 0 | JPL: "Analysis based on 18 observations spanning 22.172 days (2012-Jan-30.21365 to 2012-Feb-21.38575)." Diameter approximately 0.017 km. from mean, weighted H=26.5. |
| 2012 BA77 | JPL Sentry | 1823 | 2021-2100 | 63 | 3.0e-05 | -4.70 | -5.32 | 0 | JPL: "Analysis based on 12 observations spanning 5.0846 days (2012-Jan-24.36724 to 2012-Jan-29.451872)." Diameter approximately 0.023 km. from mean, weighted H=25.9. |
| NEODyS | 1823 | 2025-2088 | 30 | 3.54e-05 | -4.64 | -5.25 | 0 | NEODyS: "Based on 12 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2012-01-24.368 to 2012-01-29.453." | |
Legend: VI# = VI count, Prob Cum = cumulative probability, PS Cum/Max = cumulative/maximum Palermo Scale, TS = Torino Scale
An impact solution, also known as a "virtual impactor" (VI), is not a prediction but rather a possibility derived from a variant orbit calculation that cannot be eliminated yet based on the existing data. Elimination can come quickly with just a little further observation or may take weeks or months, sometimes years. Once superceded or eliminated, a former impact solution has zero relevance to an object's risk. See Jon Giorgini's "Understanding Risk Pages" to learn more.
Chronology on 22 February '12
Times are UTC for when items were noted or added by The Tracking News.
| 2103 | Grabbed MPEC 2012-D40 - 2012 DO8 - see above |
| 1823 | Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2012 BA102 risk assessment - see above Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2012 BA77 risk assessment - see above Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2012 BA77 risk assessment - see above Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2012 CU risk assessment - see above |
| 0742 | Updated Traffic Report |
| 0741 | Grabbed MPEC 2012-D39 - Daily Orbit Update - see above |
| 0233 | Noted Radar Astrometry database update - see above |