Contents  on 12 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 12 December '20

The MPC's NEO Confirmation Page has 84 listings

When last checked at 2358 UTC today, the Minor Planet Center's Near Earth Object discovery Confirmation Page (NEOCP) had 84 objects listed. Of these, 45 were "one nighters." So far The Tracking News has counted a total of 109 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 12 December '20

Minor Planet Electronic Circulars

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


MPEC 2020-X140 - "19:13 UT" - 2020 XD4


MPEC 2020-X139 - "19:08 UT" - 2020 XC4


MPEC 2020-X138 - "18:07 UT" - 2009 XL8


MPEC 2020-X137 - "16:19 UT" - 2016 YU10


MPEC 2020-X136 - "14:20 UT" - 2020 XB4


MPEC 2020-X135 - "14:19 UT" - 2020 XA4


MPEC 2020-X134 - "14:18 UT" - 2020 XZ3


MPEC 2020-X133 - "14:15 UT" - 2020 XY3


MPEC 2020-X132 - "14:14 UT" - 2020 XX3


MPEC 2020-X131 - "14:11 UT" - 2020 XW3


MPEC 2020-X130 - "13:59 UT" - 2020 XV3


MPEC 2020-X129 - "13:58 UT" - 2020 XU3


MPEC 2020-X128 - "13:57 UT" - 2020 XT3


<< DOU on 12 December '20 >>  MPEC 2020-X127 - "12:21 UT" - Daily Orbit Update


MPEC 2020-X126 - "03:45 UT" - 2020 XS3


MPEC 2020-X125 - "03:44 UT" - 2020 XR3


MPEC 2020-X124 - "03:43 UT" - 2020 XQ3


MPEC 2020-X123 - "03:40 UT" - 2020 XP3


MPEC 2020-X122 - "02:41 UT" - 2020 XN3

Observers  on 12 December '20

A total of 32 observers appear in today's MPECs.

CodeObserver / observatory
834AAAA Buenos Aires Obs. in Argentina, 2 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 12538, 1036
M46Althuraya Astronomy Ctr., 2 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 2020 ST1, 153201
H21Astronomical Research Obs. Westfield in Illinois, 15 in MPECs 2020-X122, 2020-X124, 2020-X125, 2020-X126, 2020-X127, 2020-X129, 2020-X130, 2020-X131, 2020-X132, 2020-X133, 2020-X134, 2020-X136 & 2020-X140 -- 2020 XZ3, 2020 XY3, 2020 XX3, 2020 XW3, 2020 XV3, 2020 XU3, 2020 XS3, 2020 XR3, 2020 XQ3, 2020 XN3, 2020 XD4, 2020 XB4, 2020 WG1, 2020 VE1, 2020 NQ1
T05ATLAS Haleakala in Hawaii, 44 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 2020 XN1, 2020 XH1, 2020 OC8, 2017 SE19, 2016 OP5, 2015 BF4, 2013 PY6, 2004 LU3, 2003 YJ, 2003 BK47, 1999 VX15, 86039, 68359, 55532, 523633, 506459, 497094, 452307, 450263, 449107, 435404, 414586, 373579, 351340, 30825, 274138, 241596, 216707, 163014, 162173, 141079, 137805, 10150, 9172, 8567, 5587, 4947, 4503, 3908, 1981, 1943, 1685, 1036, 433
T08ATLAS Mauna Loa in Hawaii, 23 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 2020 XQ2, 2020 XO, 2020 XH, 2020 WM5, 2020 WA5, 2020 OK5, 2018 GX4, 2016 YM, 2002 GZ8, 88188, 66272, 53435, 505093, 482505, 465749, 417217, 415029, 378160, 21374, 163902, 159402, 154330, 138175
Q68Blue Mountains Obs. in New South Wales, 12 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 2013 PY6, 87684, 85275, 68359, 65717, 530938, 154302, 138095, 5587, 4953, 4055, 887
V00Bok Telescope in Arizona, 4 in MPECs 2020-X127, 2020-X131, 2020-X133 & 2020-X136 -- 2020 XY3, 2020 XW3, 2020 XL3, 2020 XB4
V06Catalina Sky Survey Kuiper Telescope (CSS-Kuiper) in Arizona, 4 in MPECs 2020-X128, 2020-X133, 2020-X135 & 2020-X136 -- 2020 XY3, 2020 XT3, 2020 XB4, 2020 XA4
807|Robert Holmes in Illinois via Cerro Tololo Inter-American Obs. (CTIO) in Chile, 6 in MPECs 2020-X123, 2020-X125, 2020-X129, 2020-X130, 2020-X134 & 2020-X140 -- 2020 XZ3, 2020 XV3, 2020 XU3, 2020 XR3, 2020 XP3, 2020 XD4
J04!program code "!" (10) via ESA Optical Ground Station in the Canary Islands, 1 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 2020 XZ
J042program code 2 via ESA Optical Ground Station (ESA OGS) in the Canary Islands, 5 in MPECs 2020-X123, 2020-X127, 2020-X132 & 2020-X133 -- 2020 XY3, 2020 XX3, 2020 XR, 2020 XP3, 2020 XF
J044program code 4 via ESA Optical Ground Station (ESA OGS) in the Canary Islands, 2 in MPECs 2020-X122 & 2020-X130 -- 2020 XV3, 2020 XN3
J045program code 5 via ESA Optical Ground Station in the Canary Islands, 1 in MPEC 2020-X137 -- 2016 YU10
595Farra d'Isonzo Obs. in Italy, 1 in MPEC 2020-X139 -- 2020 XC4
K88GINOP-KHK in Hungary, 1 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 2020 XN2
J95Great Shefford Obs. in England, 1 in MPEC 2020-X139 -- 2020 XC4
V39LCO McDonald Obs. B in Texas, 1 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 501647
474Mt. John Obs. in New Zealand, 2 in MPECs 2020-X134 & 2020-X135 -- 2020 XZ3, 2020 XA4
G96Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS) in Arizona, 5 in MPECs 2020-X127, 2020-X128, 2020-X134, 2020-X135 & 2020-X139 -- 2020 XZ3, 2020 XV2, 2020 XT3, 2020 XC4, 2020 XA4
Z80Northolt Branch Obs. in England, 2 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 2020 XQ2, 2020 XN
F51Pan-STARRS 1 (PS1) in Hawaii, 37 in MPECs 2020-X122, 2020-X123, 2020-X124, 2020-X125, 2020-X126, 2020-X127, 2020-X128, 2020-X129, 2020-X130, 2020-X132, 2020-X134, 2020-X135, 2020-X139 & 2020-X140 -- 2020 XZ3, 2020 XX3, 2020 XV3, 2020 XU3, 2020 XT3, 2020 XS3, 2020 XR3, 2020 XQ3, 2020 XP3, 2020 XN3, 2020 XD4, 2020 XC4, 2020 XA4, 2020 WL1, 2020 VX3, 2020 UT6, 2020 FT1, 2018 VX, 2016 CB32, 2014 WD201, 2014 QK296, 2013 PY6, 2013 BG27, 2010 XX58, 1999 HV1, 85490, 488450, 465749, 455185, 423022, 374855, 26310, 159923, 143404, 11398, 5620, 3552
F52Pan-STARRS 2 (PS2) in Hawaii, 40 in MPECs 2020-X123, 2020-X125, 2020-X126, 2020-X127, 2020-X133, 2020-X138 & 2020-X140 -- 2020 XY3, 2020 XY, 2020 XU, 2020 XS3, 2020 XR3, 2020 XQ, 2020 XP3, 2020 XG1, 2020 XD4, 2020 WZ4, 2020 WY, 2020 VX1, 2019 BO1, 2014 LQ26, 2009 XL8, 2009 KK8, 2007 XB10, 2004 QD17, 2003 YM1, 2003 QQ10, 1998 WA2, 1998 MR24, 1993 HC, 85867, 68359, 66272, 55532, 523804, 480824, 452307, 418797, 414903, 373579, 349074, 25916, 162186, 145656, 137099, 11398, 2212
B49Paus Obs. in Spain, 2 in MPECs 2020-X127 & 2020-X139 -- 2020 XC4, 2020 VC7
C95SATINO-1 in France, 1 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 9172
0331program code 1 via Schwarzschild Obs. in Germany, 5 in MPECs 2020-X122, 2020-X123, 2020-X126 & 2020-X127 -- 2020 XS3, 2020 XP3, 2020 XO, 2020 XN3, 2018 XU3
W88*program code "*" (19) via Slooh.com Chile Obs. in Chile, 1 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 2020 XH1
W885M. Kumrucu-Lohmiller in Massachusetts via Slooh.com Chile Obs. in Chile, 1 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 2020 XH1
691Spacewatch 0.9m telescope in Arizona, 6 in MPECs 2020-X124, 2020-X127, 2020-X129, 2020-X130 & 2020-X132 -- 2020 XX3, 2020 XV3, 2020 XU3, 2020 XR, 2020 XQ3, 189040
291Spacewatch 1.8m telescope in Arizona, 8 in MPECs 2020-X124, 2020-X127 & 2020-X131 -- 2020 XW3, 2020 XQ3, 2020 HJ4, 525364, 513170, 490581, 486001, 480858
I52Steward Obs. Mt. Lemmon Station in Arizona, 26 in MPECs 2020-X122, 2020-X125, 2020-X127, 2020-X130, 2020-X131, 2020-X132, 2020-X133, 2020-X134, 2020-X135, 2020-X138 & 2020-X139 -- 2020 XZ3, 2020 XY3, 2020 XY, 2020 XX3, 2020 XW3, 2020 XV3, 2020 XR3, 2020 XP3, 2020 XP2, 2020 XP1, 2020 XN3, 2020 XM2, 2020 XJ, 2020 XH2, 2020 XH, 2020 XG1, 2020 XC4, 2020 XB2, 2020 XA4, 2020 WZ5, 2020 WW4, 2020 WT2, 2020 WP4, 2020 WM5, 2009 XL8, 2001 YV3
858Tebbutt Obs. in New Mexico, 1 in MPEC 2020-X122 -- 2020 XN3
A16Tentlingen Obs. in Switzerland, 1 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 4503
T12UH/Tholen NEO Follow-Up 2.24m Telescope in Hawaii, 7 in MPECs 2020-X124 & 2020-X127 -- 2020 XQ3, 2020 XC, 2020 WT4, 2020 WF5, 2020 WD, 2020 SU4, 518640
L01Visnjan Obs. in Croatia, 7 in MPECs 2020-X122, 2020-X123, 2020-X126, 2020-X127, 2020-X131, 2020-X132 & 2020-X139 -- 2020 XX3, 2020 XW3, 2020 XS3, 2020 XP3, 2020 XN3, 2020 XC4, 2013 UX14
N88Xingming Obs. #3, 1 in MPEC 2020-X132 -- 2020 XX3
I41Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) in southern California, 23 in MPEC 2020-X127 -- 2020 VM3, 2014 JH57, 2011 GD60, 2004 LU3, 89355, 88188, 86039, 68950, 68359, 505093, 373579, 31669, 24445, 163243, 155340, 152931, 144411, 143649, 137924, 137062, 137052, 3691, 2329
For a list of all participating observatories that have Web addresses, see A/CC's Observatory Links page.

Impact Risk Monitoring  on 12 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 XX3NEODyS19212057-21202567.63e-03-3.93-4.35n/aNEODyS: "Based on 22 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-10.277 to 2020-12-12.348."
JPL Sentry17002057-21181670.0019618678212-4.56-4.690JPL: Computed at 07:45 today Pacific time based on 22 observations spanning 2.0705 days (2020-Dec-10.276407 to 2020-Dec-12.34692). Diameter approximately 0.007 km. from weighted mean H=28.57.
2020 XZ2NEODyS19212039-2079251.0e-07-5.50-5.690NEODyS: "Based on 21 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-07.341 to 2020-12-11.395."
2020 XV2NEODyS1921R E M O V E D-
2020 XH2JPL Sentry1700R E M O V E DJPL: Risk listing removed at 1432 UTC today
2020 XZJPL Sentry1700R E M O V E DJPL: Risk listing removed at 1359 UTC today
2020 XRNEODyS1921202811.69e-05-1.44-1.441NEODyS: "Based on 58 optical observations (of which 1 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-04.213 to 2020-12-12.074."
JPL Sentry18032028-202823.890821e-05-1.07-1.071JPL: Computed at 09:28 today Pacific time based on 55 observations spanning 7.8612 days (2020-Dec-04.212236 to 2020-Dec-12.07342). Diameter approximately 0.390 km. from weighted mean H=19.71.
2020 XFNEODyS19212056-21205421.06e-03-4.00-4.16n/aNEODyS: "Based on 64 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-04.328 to 2020-12-10.844."
JPL Sentry18032056-21201290.000359780862-4.52-5.040JPL #2 for the day: Computed at 09:54 today Pacific time based on 64 observations spanning 6.5164 days (2020-Dec-04.32683 to 2020-Dec-10.843187). Diameter approximately 0.016 km. from weighted mean H=26.66.
2020 XCNEODyS1921208517.09e-07-8.42-8.420NEODyS: "Based on 48 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-03.363 to 2020-12-10.204."
JPL Sentry17002085-208516.132e-07-8.47-8.470JPL: Computed at 06:06 today Pacific time based on 48 observations spanning 6.8410 days (2020-Dec-03.36221 to 2020-Dec-10.203223). Diameter approximately 0.005 km. from weighted mean H=28.99.
2020 WF5NEODyS19212078-2118361.24e-05-6.51-7.270NEODyS: "Based on 33 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-11-27.232 to 2020-12-09.622."
JPL Sentry17002082-2118211.720948e-05-6.35-7.100JPL: Computed at 06:05 today Pacific time based on 33 observations spanning 12.390 days (2020-Nov-27.231322 to 2020-Dec-09.621335). Diameter approximately 0.010 km. from weighted mean H=27.75.
2020 WT4NEODyS19212062-2119151.7e-06-7.40-7.640NEODyS: "Based on 32 optical observations (of which 2 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-11-24.191 to 2020-12-09.380."
JPL Sentry17002062-2116113.02501e-06-7.10-7.480JPL: Computed at 06:14 today Pacific time based on 31 observations spanning 15.189 days (2020-Nov-24.190527 to 2020-Dec-09.379532). Diameter approximately 0.010 km. from weighted mean H=27.76.
2020 WDNEODyS19212055-2120135.29e-05-6.14-6.32n/aNEODyS: "Based on 32 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-11-16.345 to 2020-12-10.496."
JPL Sentry17002055-212068.86867e-05-5.96-6.170JPL: Computed at 06:03 today Pacific time based on 32 observations spanning 24.150 days (2020-Nov-16.344565 to 2020-Dec-10.494752). Diameter approximately 0.008 km. from weighted mean H=28.21.
2020 SU4NEODyS1921R E M O V E D-
JPL Sentry1700R E M O V E DJPL: Risk listing removed at 1400 UTC today
2014 WZ365JPL Sentry17002047-204712.831e-10-9.65-9.650JPL: Computed at 21:17 April 16th of 2017 Pacific time based on 23 observations spanning 3.9974 days (2014-Nov-27.367456 to 2014-Dec-01.36484). Diameter approximately 0.025 km. from weighted mean H=25.70.
2013 XS21JPL Sentry17002079-2111107.79656e-06-7.49-7.790JPL: Computed at 00:15 April 10th of 2017 Pacific time based on 25 observations spanning 1.6583 days (2013-Dec-12.48055 to 2013-Dec-14.13884). Diameter approximately 0.004 km. from weighted mean H=29.38.
2010 XCJPL Sentry17002021-21113242.9148124e-06-7.27-7.940JPL: 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.
2008 VS4JPL Sentry17002021-21143085.751628e-07-5.39-6.300JPL: Computed at 00:23 April 8th of 2017 Pacific time based on 10 observations spanning .08330 days (2008-Nov-07.413 to 2008-Nov-07.4963). Diameter approximately 0.049 km. from weighted mean H=24.21.
2004 XG29JPL Sentry17002112-211422.4861e-07-7.24-7.370JPL: Computed at 23:14 April 13th of 2017 Pacific time based on 131 observations spanning 36.293 days (2004-Dec-10.06219 to 2005-Jan-15.35504). Diameter approximately 0.029 km. from weighted mean H=25.36.

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 12 December '20

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

1922Grabbed MPEC 2020-X140 - 2020 XD4 - see above
1921Noted that NEODyS has removed 2020 SU4 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 WD risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 WF5 risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 WT4 risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 XC risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 XF risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 XR risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has removed 2020 XV2 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that NEODyS has posted 2020 XX3 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that NEODyS has posted 2020 XZ2 as an impact risk - see above
1911Grabbed MPEC 2020-X139 - 2020 XC4 - see above
1900Grabbed MPEC 2020-X138 - 2009 XL8 - see above
1803Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 XF risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 XR risk assessment - see above
1700Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2004 XG29 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2008 VS4 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2010 XC risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2013 XS21 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2014 WZ365 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has removed 2020 SU4 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 WD risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 WF5 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 XC risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 XF risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has removed 2020 XH2 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has posted 2020 XX3 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has removed 2020 XZ as an impact risk - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X127 - Daily Orbit Update - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X128 - 2020 XT3 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X129 - 2020 XU3 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X130 - 2020 XV3 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X131 - 2020 XW3 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X132 - 2020 XX3 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X133 - 2020 XY3 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X134 - 2020 XZ3 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X135 - 2020 XA4 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X136 - 2020 XB4 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X137 - 2016 YU10 - see above
0600Grabbed MPEC 2020-X122 - 2020 XN3 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X123 - 2020 XP3 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X124 - 2020 XQ3 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X125 - 2020 XR3 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-X126 - 2020 XS3 - see above