Contents  on 5 December '20

Asteroid/Comet Connection (A/CC) Resources:

The latest A/CC news is available via framed access, RSS news feed RSS news feed, or redirection.

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. To keep track of what's new each day, watch the Chronology section.

NEOCP Activity  on 5 December '20

The MPC's NEO Confirmation Page has 32 listings

When last checked at 2358 UTC today, the Minor Planet Center's Near Earth Object discovery Confirmation Page (NEOCP) had 32 objects listed. Of these, 22 were "one nighters." So far The Tracking News has counted a total of 44 listings on the NEOCP today.

To learn how observers use the NEOCP, see the Practical guide on how to observe NEOCP object at Suno Observatory by Birtwhistle et al.

New MPECs  on 5 December '20

Minor Planet Electronic Circulars

As of last check at 2358 UTC, there have been nine MPECs posted today from the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.


MPEC 2020-X22 - "23:14 UT" - 2020 XH


MPEC 2020-X21 - "23:05 UT" - Erroneous MPECs 2020-X01 and 2020-X02


MPEC 2020-X20 - "22:13 UT" - 2020 XG


MPEC 2020-X19 - "22:12 UT" - 2020 VC7


MPEC 2020-X18 - "22:08 UT" - 2020 XF


MPEC 2020-X17 - "19:53 UT" - 2020 XE


MPEC 2020-X16 - "19:51 UT" - 2020 XD


<< DOU on 5 December '20 >>  MPEC 2020-X15 - "12:13 UT" - Daily Orbit Update


MPEC 2020-X14 - "02:55 UT" - 2020 XC

Observers  on 5 December '20

A total of 38 observers appear in today's MPECs.

CodeObserver / observatory
E23Arcadia Obs. in New South Wales, 1 in MPEC 2020-X22 -- 2020 XH
H21Astronomical Research Obs. Westfield in Illinois, 5 in MPECs 2020-X14, 2020-X16, 2020-X17, 2020-X20 & 2020-X22 -- 2020 XH, 2020 XG, 2020 XE, 2020 XD, 2020 XC
T05ATLAS Haleakala in Hawaii, 18 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 2016 ED85, 2013 PY6, 99935, 66272, 459386, 415029, 345705, 16834, 163364, 154330, 152978, 144411, 10115, 8037, 8014, 5131, 4503, 2212
T08ATLAS Mauna Loa in Hawaii, 21 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 2020 SO, 2020 OC8, 2003 YJ, 2003 JC17, 85275, 530938, 36183, 35107, 186822, 154302, 138095, 12538, 11405, 7977, 5879, 4953, 4055, 3752, 1980, 1036, 887
V00Bok Telescope in Arizona, 1 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 213053
160Castelmartini Obs. in Italy, 6 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 2013 PY6, 345705, 162173, 154330, 152978, 144411
703Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) in Arizona, 22 in MPECs 2020-X14, 2020-X15, 2020-X18, 2020-X19 & 2020-X22 -- 2020 XH, 2020 XF, 2020 XC, 2020 VC7, 2020 OC8, 2017 SE19, 2004 LU3, 2003 YJ, 68359, 65717, 30825, 162173, 154302, 5587, 4947, 4179, 3908, 3691, 1981, 1943, 887, 433
V06Catalina Sky Survey Kuiper Telescope (CSS-Kuiper) in Arizona, 19 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 2020 WZ3, 2020 WV4, 2020 WV2, 2020 WT3, 2020 WR1, 2020 WG3, 2020 VZ2, 2020 VX3, 2020 VL4, 2020 VF2, 2020 VE1, 2020 VD4, 2020 VD1, 2020 UV1, 2020 US2, 2020 UJ5, 2020 UG2, 2017 WC29, 2016 VO1
V94Cherokee Ridge Obs., 2 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 2013 UX14, 65717
G377program code 7 via Discovery Channel Telescope in Arizona, 1 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 388185
E10,program code "," (21) via Faulkes Telescope South in New South Wales, 1 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 2020 WY
E89Geyserland Obs. in New Zealand, 2 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 154302, 7977
Q70Glenlee Obs., 1 in MPEC 2020-X22 -- 2020 XH
U55Golden Ears Obs., 3 in MPECs 2020-X15, 2020-X16 & 2020-X17 -- 2020 XE, 2020 XD, 2020 XC
J95Great Shefford Obs. in England, 2 in MPECs 2020-X18 & 2020-X19 -- 2020 XF, 2020 VC7
598Loiano Obs. in Italy, 1 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 2020 SO
900Moriyama Obs. in Japan, 2 in MPECs 2020-X18 & 2020-X22 -- 2020 XH, 2020 XF
V01Mountainville Obs. in Utah, 3 in MPECs 2020-X16, 2020-X17 & 2020-X19 -- 2020 XE, 2020 XD, 2020 VC7
G96Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS) in Arizona, 41 in MPECs 2020-X14, 2020-X15, 2020-X16, 2020-X17, 2020-X19 & 2020-X20 -- 2020 XG, 2020 XE, 2020 XD, 2020 XC, 2020 WE2, 2020 WC3, 2020 VU4, 2020 VC7, 2020 UG7, 2020 TL10, 2020 SK18, 2020 SF3, 2020 QP3, 2020 QA7, 2020 LA2, 2019 XS, 2017 XL62, 2017 WJ16, 2017 VT12, 2016 JU33, 2016 JN34, 2014 UR116, 2013 YS2, 2009 WD11, 2009 KK, 2007 XB10, 68267, 66272, 380321, 376848, 345705, 316695, 213053, 20460, 16834, 163364, 153220, 152978, 141052, 5836, 1580
C51NEOWISE in Earth polar orbit, 5 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 2020 WT5, 2020 TH5, 2005 QS10, 316695, 29075
Z80Northolt Branch Obs. in England, 1 in MPEC 2020-X18 -- 2020 XF
F51Pan-STARRS 1 (PS1) in Hawaii, 14 in MPECs 2020-X15, 2020-X16, 2020-X18 & 2020-X19 -- 2020 XF, 2020 XD, 2020 VC7, 2020 SC1, 2020 QM4, 2014 LQ26, 55532, 450263, 380929, 373579, 355046, 155140, 10115, 5863
F52Pan-STARRS 2 (PS2) in Hawaii, 9 in MPECs 2020-X15, 2020-X16, 2020-X17 & 2020-X18 -- 2020 XF, 2020 XE, 2020 XD, 2003 UQ3, 513125, 380929, 276786, 163081, 10115
B49Paus Obs. in Spain, 5 in MPECs 2020-X14, 2020-X15, 2020-X16, 2020-X17 & 2020-X22 -- 2020 XH, 2020 XE, 2020 XD, 2020 XC, 2020 WK3
V93Pin Oak Obs., 10 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 2020 TG4, 2013 UX14, 2002 TS67, 2002 GZ8, 88188, 65717, 428086, 163902, 154302, 12538
K61Rokycany Obs. in the Czech Republic, 1 in MPEC 2020-X18 -- 2020 XF
H36Sandlot Obs. in Kansas, 1 in MPEC 2020-X14 -- 2020 XC
C95SATINO-1 in France, 1 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 5751
0948program code 8 via Simeis Obs. in Ukraine, 1 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 99942
W884G. Gasparovic in Croatia via Slooh.com Chile Obs. in Chile, 1 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 433
Q21Southern Utsunomiya in Japan, 1 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 162173
691Spacewatch 0.9m telescope in Arizona, 21 in MPECs 2020-X15, 2020-X16, 2020-X19 & 2020-X20 -- 2020 XG, 2020 XD, 2020 WT2, 2020 WH2, 2020 WF3, 2020 VX5, 2020 VC7, 2020 UL1, 2020 UF7, 2020 UD, 2020 TT7, 2020 TH5, 2020 TC7, 2020 TB12, 2020 SO, 2020 RQ11, 2020 QQ6, 2016 BZ14, 2011 WL2, 2009 KK8, 2006 UL185
291Spacewatch 1.8m telescope in Arizona, 8 in MPECs 2020-X15 & 2020-X17 -- 2020 XE, 2020 WY, 2020 WT4, 2020 WG5, 2020 WF5, 2020 VZ5, 2016 MH, 2005 CR37
I52Steward Obs. Mt. Lemmon Station in Arizona, 62 in MPECs 2020-X14, 2020-X15, 2020-X16, 2020-X17, 2020-X18, 2020-X19, 2020-X20 & 2020-X22 -- 2020 XH, 2020 XG, 2020 XF, 2020 XE, 2020 XD, 2020 XC, 2020 WZ4, 2020 WV4, 2020 WT2, 2020 WS5, 2020 WP4, 2020 WO3, 2020 WM5, 2020 WM3, 2020 WL5, 2020 WK3, 2020 WF3, 2020 WF2, 2020 WE3, 2020 WE2, 2020 WC3, 2020 WB2, 2020 WA5, 2020 VZ5, 2020 VX1, 2020 VU4, 2020 VT, 2020 VQ6, 2020 VQ3, 2020 VN3, 2020 VM3, 2020 VK1, 2020 VC7, 2020 UN2, 2020 UD, 2020 TT7, 2020 TQ7, 2020 TN7, 2020 TM4, 2020 TJ8, 2020 TG3, 2020 TB12, 2020 SO, 2020 SK18, 2020 SK1, 2020 SC1, 2020 RU, 2020 QQ6, 2020 QM4, 2020 QF5, 2020 QA7, 2020 PX1, 2020 PK7, 2020 PD1, 2020 OW3, 2020 LA2, 2018 VB4, 2016 WG10, 2016 VN4, 2016 TR54, 2016 JN34, 450263
T12UH/Tholen NEO Follow-Up 2.24m Telescope in Hawaii, 1 in MPEC 2020-X15 -- 2006 OV5
718Wiggins Obs. in Utah, 2 in MPECs 2020-X18 & 2020-X22 -- 2020 XH, 2020 XF
N88Xingming Obs. #3, 2 in MPECs 2020-X16 & 2020-X22 -- 2020 XH, 2020 XD
I41Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) in southern California, 17 in MPECs 2020-X15 & 2020-X22 -- 2020 XH, 2010 PK9, 68359, 480824, 465749, 459386, 31669, 152931, 137062, 11398, 9172, 8567, 5587, 5143, 3691, 2329, 1036
For a list of all participating observatories that have Web addresses, see A/CC's Observatory Links page.

Impact Risk Monitoring  on 5 December '20

Summary Risk Table for Risk Assessments Updated Today   (last checks: NEODyS at 2358 UTC)
See the CRT page for a list of all objects rated recently as risks and our ephemerides page for a list of risk-listed objects under current observation.
The time horizon for JPL and NEODyS listings is 100 years, and both post impact solutions beyond that for some special objects.
For the latest official risk assessments, and for explanations of the terminology, see the NASA/JPL Sentry and NEODyS CLOMON2 risk pages.
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
2020 XGJPL Sentry23582081-2120755.43760957e-05-5.98-6.720JPL: Computed at 15:52 today Pacific time based on 15 observations spanning 1.0875 days (2020-Dec-04.336897 to 2020-Dec-05.42441). Diameter approximately 0.008 km. from weighted mean H=28.02.
2020 XFJPL Sentry23582056-21191400.00037407241-4.49-5.200JPL: Computed at 15:53 today Pacific time based on 30 observations spanning 1.4784 days (2020-Dec-04.32683 to 2020-Dec-05.805211). Diameter approximately 0.016 km. from weighted mean H=26.61.
2020 XEJPL Sentry22002040-204433.1499598e-06-5.25-5.270JPL: Computed at 13:00 today Pacific time based on 30 observations spanning .89823 days (2020-Dec-04.397182 to 2020-Dec-05.295413). Diameter approximately 0.021 km. from weighted mean H=26.02.
2020 XCJPL Sentry20022060-207541.8823866e-06-7.91-7.920JPL: Computed at 11:07 today Pacific time based on 31 observations spanning 1.7606 days (2020-Dec-03.36221 to 2020-Dec-05.122765). Diameter approximately 0.005 km. from weighted mean H=29.00.
2020 WG5JPL Sentry20022086-2120140.0002112325-5.30-5.410JPL: Computed at 11:36 today Pacific time based on 46 observations spanning 8.0250 days (2020-Nov-27.251726 to 2020-Dec-05.27675). Diameter approximately 0.010 km. from weighted mean H=27.67.
2020 WF5JPL Sentry20022078-2118221.829316e-05-6.31-6.910JPL: Computed at 11:25 today Pacific time based on 32 observations spanning 8.2131 days (2020-Nov-27.231322 to 2020-Dec-05.4444). Diameter approximately 0.010 km. from weighted mean H=27.74.
2020 WT4JPL Sentry20022062-211966.94914e-06-6.82-7.050JPL: Computed at 11:36 today Pacific time based on 28 observations spanning 10.929 days (2020-Nov-24.190527 to 2020-Dec-05.11929). Diameter approximately 0.010 km. from weighted mean H=27.75.
2020 WZ3JPL Sentry20022089-2119122.6252e-05-5.55-5.980JPL: Computed at 11:07 today Pacific time based on 38 observations spanning 11.982 days (2020-Nov-23.352624 to 2020-Dec-05.334309). Diameter approximately 0.020 km. from weighted mean H=26.16.
2010 XCJPL Sentry19002021-21113242.9148124e-06-7.34-8.240JPL: Computed at 07:23 April 7th of 2017 Pacific time based on 8 observations spanning .05836 days (2010-Dec-01.30659 to 2010-Dec-01.36495). Diameter approximately 0.005 km. from weighted mean H=29.11.

Legend: VI# = VI count, Prob Cum = cumulative probability, PS Cum/Max = cumulative/maximum Palermo Scale, TS = Torino Scale (next 100 years)

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 5 December '20

Times are UTC for when items were noted or added by The Tracking News.

2358Noted that JPL Sentry has posted 2020 XF as an impact risk - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has posted 2020 XG as an impact risk - see above
2330Grabbed MPEC 2020-X21 - Erroneous MPECs 2020-X01 and 2020-X02 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X22 - 2020 XH - see above
2232Grabbed MPEC 2020-X18 - 2020 XF - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X19 - 2020 VC7 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X20 - 2020 XG - see above
2200Noted that JPL Sentry has posted 2020 XE as an impact risk - see above
2002Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 WF5 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 WG5 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 WT4 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 WZ3 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has posted 2020 XC as an impact risk - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X16 - 2020 XD - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X17 - 2020 XE - see above
1900Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2010 XC risk assessment - see above
1800Grabbed MPEC 2020-X14 - 2020 XC - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X15 - Daily Orbit Update - see above