Contents  on 8 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.

Radar Astrometry  on 8 December '20

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 0745 UTC when the database was dated 7 Dec.



Photometry and some astrometry is needed for upcoming radar targets. See Arecibo and Goldstone schedules.

NEOCP Activity  on 8 December '20

The MPC's NEO Confirmation Page has 62 listings

When last checked at 2358 UTC today, the Minor Planet Center's Near Earth Object discovery Confirmation Page (NEOCP) had 62 objects listed. Of these, 35 were "one nighters." So far The Tracking News has counted a total of 80 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 8 December '20

Minor Planet Electronic Circulars

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


MPEC 2020-X70 - "14:26 UT" - 2020 XU1


<< DOU on 8 December '20 >>  MPEC 2020-X69 - "12:17 UT" - Daily Orbit Update


MPEC 2020-X68 - "07:27 UT" - 2020 XT1


MPEC 2020-X67 - "07:26 UT" - 2020 XS1


MPEC 2020-X66 - "07:25 UT" - 2020 XR1


MPEC 2020-X65 - "07:23 UT" - 2020 XQ1


MPEC 2020-X64 - "07:21 UT" - 2020 XP1


MPEC 2020-X63 - "07:00 UT" - 2020 XO1


MPEC 2020-X62 - "06:57 UT" - 2020 XN1


MPEC 2020-X61 - "06:37 UT" - 2012 XA


MPEC 2020-X60 - "02:33 UT" - 2020 WW5


MPEC 2020-X59 - "02:28 UT" - 2020 XM1


MPEC 2020-X58 - "00:44 UT" - 2020 XL1

Observers  on 8 December '20

A total of 30 observers appear in today's MPECs.

CodeObserver / observatory
M46Althuraya Astronomy Ctr., 1 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 153201
T05ATLAS Haleakala in Hawaii, 42 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 2020 XN, 2020 WS5, 2020 WK3, 2020 SO, 2020 OC8, 2017 SE19, 2016 ED85, 2013 PY6, 2004 LU3, 1999 VX15, 99907, 90075, 85709, 68359, 65717, 55532, 497094, 474554, 452307, 449107, 414586, 30825, 241596, 23183, 163693, 163014, 162173, 10150, 9172, 9058, 8567, 5645, 5587, 4947, 4179, 3908, 3691, 1981, 1943, 1685, 1036, 433
T08ATLAS Mauna Loa in Hawaii, 25 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 2020 XF, 2020 WM5, 2020 WA5, 2020 SO, 2018 GX4, 2017 VT12, 2013 UX14, 2012 SA22, 2008 CZ118, 2004 AC, 2002 GZ8, 88188, 66272, 53435, 505093, 501647, 482505, 465749, 428086, 417217, 415029, 380359, 21374, 163902, 159402
V00Bok Telescope in Arizona, 9 in MPECs 2020-X67, 2020-X68 & 2020-X69 -- 2020 XT1, 2020 XS1, 2020 WQ3, 2020 TG4, 2020 FT1, 2014 AF51, 2009 ST19, 465749, 5836
703Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) in Arizona, 20 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 2020 PC5, 2003 YJ, 2003 BK47, 89355, 85275, 65717, 530938, 438902, 416694, 354663, 35107, 275714, 216707, 186822, 138095, 4953, 4179, 4055, 3199, 1685
V06Catalina Sky Survey Kuiper Telescope (CSS-Kuiper) in Arizona, 4 in MPECs 2020-X59, 2020-X67, 2020-X68 & 2020-X69 -- 2020 XT1, 2020 XS1, 2020 XM1, 2020 QD5
807|Robert Holmes in Illinois via Cerro Tololo Inter-American Obs. (CTIO) in Chile, 3 in MPECs 2020-X60, 2020-X61 & 2020-X63 -- 2020 XO1, 2020 WW5, 2012 XA
595Farra d'Isonzo Obs. in Italy, 1 in MPEC 2020-X60 -- 2020 WW5
X31Galilei Obs., 1 in MPEC 2020-X58 -- 2020 XL1
253Goldstone DSS-14 70m antenna in southern California, 1 in radar -- 153201
P93JAXA Space Tracking & Communications Center in Japan, 1 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 2020 XH1
C401program code 1 via Kuban State Univ. Obs. in Russia, 1 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 159402
900Moriyama Obs. in Japan, 1 in MPEC 2020-X58 -- 2020 XL1
V01Mountainville Obs. in Utah, 1 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 2020 XV
G96Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS) in Arizona, 43 in MPECs 2020-X59, 2020-X60, 2020-X61, 2020-X62, 2020-X63, 2020-X64, 2020-X65, 2020-X66, 2020-X69 & 2020-X70 -- 2020 XU1, 2020 XR1, 2020 XQ1, 2020 XP1, 2020 XO1, 2020 XN1, 2020 XM1, 2020 XH1, 2020 WW5, 2020 WK3, 2020 WE3, 2020 QF5, 2020 GN3, 2017 BP5, 2016 TR54, 2015 XJ261, 2014 LQ26, 2012 XA, 2011 BF59, 2009 KK8, 2004 QD17, 2004 LU3, 2003 UQ3, 1998 WA2, 99907, 90075, 55532, 510073, 497094, 418797, 413002, 373579, 256412, 189040, 159856, 152756, 145656, 9172, 9058, 5863, 5587, 3691, 3288
C51NEOWISE in Earth polar orbit, 5 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 2013 PF10, 2005 QS10, 462041, 316695, 190208
J43Oukaimeden Obs. in Morocco, 2 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 99935, 162186
F51Pan-STARRS 1 (PS1) in Hawaii, 26 in MPECs 2020-X60, 2020-X61 & 2020-X69 -- 2020 WY2, 2020 WW5, 2020 WG, 2020 WD1, 2020 VM6, 2020 VM3, 2020 UV3, 2020 UG2, 2020 TP3, 2020 QM4, 2020 OK5, 2014 QK296, 2012 XA, 2011 YU62, 2010 MU111, 2004 US1, 2002 GZ8, 2000 PQ27, 1993 HC, 514041, 464885, 380929, 11398, 10115, 6455, 3552
F52Pan-STARRS 2 (PS2) in Hawaii, 12 in MPECs 2020-X59 & 2020-X69 -- 2020 XM1, 2020 WZ4, 2020 WG, 2020 VX1, 2020 TM4, 2020 OC8, 2016 FY14, 2004 LU3, 380929, 21374, 8507, 5587
L04ROASTERR-1 in Romania, 2 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 2020 XH, 2002 GZ8
C95SATINO-1 in France, 1 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 8014
W884G. Gasparovic in Croatia via Slooh.com Chile Obs. in Chile, 1 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 86450
Q21Southern Utsunomiya in Japan, 1 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 162173
691Spacewatch 0.9m telescope in Arizona, 8 in MPECs 2020-X59, 2020-X61 & 2020-X69 -- 2020 XM1, 2020 XE, 2020 WH2, 2020 WG5, 2016 BZ14, 2012 XA, 2012 UK171, 2010 WT8
291Spacewatch 1.8m telescope in Arizona, 5 in MPECs 2020-X67, 2020-X68 & 2020-X69 -- 2020 XT1, 2020 XS1, 2020 WZ3, 2020 PP, 2013 FK
C36Starry Wanderer Obs. in Belarus, 1 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 2016 YM
I52Steward Obs. Mt. Lemmon Station in Arizona, 36 in MPECs 2020-X59, 2020-X60, 2020-X61, 2020-X62, 2020-X63, 2020-X64, 2020-X65, 2020-X66, 2020-X69 & 2020-X70 -- 2020 XY, 2020 XV, 2020 XU1, 2020 XR1, 2020 XR, 2020 XQ1, 2020 XP1, 2020 XO1, 2020 XO, 2020 XN1, 2020 XM1, 2020 XJ, 2020 XH, 2020 XF, 2020 XE1, 2020 XC, 2020 WX4, 2020 WW5, 2020 WV5, 2020 WV4, 2020 WN4, 2020 WM5, 2020 WK3, 2020 WE3, 2020 WC5, 2020 WA5, 2020 VU4, 2020 VQ3, 2020 VN3, 2020 UJ6, 2020 TQ7, 2020 TM4, 2020 TJ8, 2020 SO, 2019 BO1, 2012 XA
858Tebbutt Obs. in New Mexico, 2 in MPECs 2020-X61 & 2020-X63 -- 2020 XO1, 2012 XA
T12UH/Tholen NEO Follow-Up 2.24m Telescope in Hawaii, 1 in MPEC 2020-X69 -- 2010 FE7
I41Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) in southern California, 12 in MPECs 2020-X58 & 2020-X69 -- 2020 XL1, 413192, 31669, 24445, 19356, 188452, 152931, 143649, 137062, 137052, 7350, 2329
For a list of all participating observatories that have Web addresses, see A/CC's Observatory Links page.

Impact Risk Monitoring  on 8 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 XK1NEODyS18002077-211121.39e-09-11.82-11.840NEODyS: "Based on 21 optical observations (of which 3 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-07.110 to 2020-12-07.371."
JPL Sentry06002039-203911.662e-09-11.23-11.230JPL: Computed at 17:02 Dec. 7th Pacific time based on 19 observations spanning .25635 days (2020-Dec-07.113998 to 2020-Dec-07.37035). Diameter approximately 0.003 km. from weighted mean H=30.62.
2020 XRNEODyS1800202824.0e-05-1.06-1.061NEODyS: "Based on 43 optical observations (of which 1 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-04.213 to 2020-12-08.066."
JPL Sentry17302028-210361.28352776e-05-1.54-1.551JPL: Computed at 06:18 today Pacific time based on 42 observations spanning 3.8530 days (2020-Dec-04.212236 to 2020-Dec-08.065211). Diameter approximately 0.390 km. from weighted mean H=19.69.
2020 XFJPL Sentry17002056-21181370.00035706389-4.54-5.090JPL: Computed at 06:25 today Pacific time based on 54 observations spanning 3.7674 days (2020-Dec-04.32683 to 2020-Dec-08.094228). Diameter approximately 0.016 km. from weighted mean H=26.67.
2020 XENEODyS18002040-207541.08e-05-4.80-4.80NEODyS: "Based on 44 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-04.398 to 2020-12-08.263."
JPL Sentry17002040-204435.8709281e-06-5.07-5.070JPL: Computed at 06:02 today Pacific time based on 44 observations spanning 3.8648 days (2020-Dec-04.397182 to 2020-Dec-08.26198). Diameter approximately 0.020 km. from weighted mean H=26.20.
2020 XCNEODyS18002085-211736.01e-07-8.50-8.510NEODyS: "Based on 47 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-03.363 to 2020-12-08.326."
JPL Sentry17002085-208515.951e-07-8.48-8.480JPL: Computed at 06:28 today Pacific time based on 47 observations spanning 4.9633 days (2020-Dec-03.36221 to 2020-Dec-08.32553). Diameter approximately 0.005 km. from weighted mean H=28.99.
2020 WG5NEODyS18002086-2120341.9e-04-5.36-5.44n/aNEODyS: "Based on 52 optical observations (of which 2 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-11-27.253 to 2020-12-08.305."
JPL Sentry17002086-2120160.000177286726-5.40-5.490JPL: Computed at 06:09 today Pacific time based on 50 observations spanning 11.052 days (2020-Nov-27.251726 to 2020-Dec-08.30394). Diameter approximately 0.010 km. from weighted mean H=27.74.
2020 WZ3NEODyS18002089-2120158.29e-06-6.05-6.37n/aNEODyS: "Based on 44 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-11-23.353 to 2020-12-08.248."
JPL Sentry17002088-2119141.455128e-05-5.81-6.300JPL: Computed at 06:08 today Pacific time based on 44 observations spanning 14.895 days (2020-Nov-23.352624 to 2020-Dec-08.2476). Diameter approximately 0.020 km. from weighted mean H=26.19.
2018 XW3JPL Sentry06002044-204414.467e-09-8.66-8.660JPL: Computed at 09:48 April 18th of 2019 Pacific time based on 27 observations spanning 21.160 days (2018-Dec-13.2296 to 2019-Jan-03.389707). Diameter approximately 0.018 km. from weighted mean H=26.34.
2010 FE7NEODyS1800210715.39e-11-10.02-10.020NEODyS: "Based on 33 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2010-02-14.263 to 2010-04-09.276."
2008 XKJPL Sentry06002020-2101874.064918e-07-6.65-6.820JPL: Computed at 09:53 Dec. 18th of 2019 Pacific time based on 12 observations spanning .08663 days (2008-Dec-02.28019 to 2008-Dec-02.36682). Diameter approximately 0.012 km. from weighted mean H=27.23.

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 8 December '20

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

1800Noted that NEODyS has posted 2010 FE7 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 WG5 risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 WZ3 risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 XC risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 XE risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has posted 2020 XK1 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 XR risk assessment - see above
1730Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 XR risk assessment - see above
1700Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 WG5 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 WZ3 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 XC risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 XE risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 XF risk assessment - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X69 - Daily Orbit Update - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X70 - 2020 XU1 - see above
0745Grabbed MPEC 2020-X61 - 2012 XA - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X62 - 2020 XN1 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X63 - 2020 XO1 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X64 - 2020 XP1 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X65 - 2020 XQ1 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X66 - 2020 XR1 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X67 - 2020 XS1 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X68 - 2020 XT1 - see above
Noted Radar Astrometry database update - see above
0600Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2008 XK risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2018 XW3 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has posted 2020 XK1 as an impact risk - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X58 - 2020 XL1 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X59 - 2020 XM1 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X60 - 2020 WW5 - see above