Contents  on 22 December '20

CHANGES COMING:  The Asteroid/Comet Connection Web site will soon focus completely on Earth's Busy Neighborhood reporting. Sometime on or soon after Sunday, December 27th, much of the site will be retired.* The Tracking News will be discontinued and taken down entirely** along with its supporting timeline pages, the archives of its predecessor online publication, Major News About Minor Objects, and our even longer running Consolidated Risk Tables feature. Remaining will be Earth's Busy Neighborhood along with its sky chart, ephemerides, and some supporting pages (e.g. Observatory Links). We do plan to make the Web site easier to use, more interesting as regards close-passing asteroids, and more glitch-free while needing much, much less manual attention here than the current site. -- Webmaster

  *There may be some brief chaos when we take down the old site and put up the new. Please check back.
**You can still find the old files at the Internet Archive.

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 22 December '20

The MPC's NEO Confirmation Page has 44 listings

When last checked at 2358 UTC today, the Minor Planet Center's Near Earth Object discovery Confirmation Page (NEOCP) had 44 objects listed. Of these, 26 were "one nighters." So far The Tracking News has counted a total of 64 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 22 December '20

Minor Planet Electronic Circulars

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


MPEC 2020-Y97 - "14:07 UT" - 2020 YX2


MPEC 2020-Y96 - "14:05 UT" - 2020 YW2


MPEC 2020-Y95 - "14:04 UT" - 2020 YV2


<< DOU on 22 December '20 >>  MPEC 2020-Y94 - "12:33 UT" - Daily Orbit Update


MPEC 2020-Y93 - "08:35 UT" - 2020 YT2


MPEC 2020-Y92 - "08:34 UT" - 2020 YS2


MPEC 2020-Y91 - "08:33 UT" - 2020 YR2


MPEC 2020-Y90 - "08:30 UT" - 2020 YQ2


MPEC 2020-Y89 - "08:29 UT" - 2020 YP2


MPEC 2020-Y88 - "08:27 UT" - 2020 YO2


MPEC 2020-Y87 - "08:26 UT" - 2020 YN2


MPEC 2020-Y86 - "08:24 UT" - 2020 YM2


MPEC 2020-Y85 - "08:23 UT" - 2020 YL2


MPEC 2020-Y84 - "03:07 UT" - 2020 YJ2


MPEC 2020-Y83 - "02:59 UT" - 2020 YH2


MPEC 2020-Y82 - "02:58 UT" - 2020 YG2


MPEC 2020-Y81 - "02:54 UT" - 2020 YF2

Observers  on 22 December '20

A total of 33 observers appear in today's MPECs.

CodeObserver / observatory
U71AHS Obs., 1 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 2368
H21Astronomical Research Obs. Westfield in Illinois, 10 in MPECs 2020-Y81, 2020-Y82, 2020-Y85, 2020-Y86, 2020-Y87, 2020-Y91, 2020-Y92, 2020-Y94, 2020-Y95 & 2020-Y97 -- 2020 YX2, 2020 YV2, 2020 YS2, 2020 YR2, 2020 YN2, 2020 YM2, 2020 YL2, 2020 YJ2, 2020 YG2, 2020 YF2
T05ATLAS Haleakala in Hawaii, 4 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 90147, 88188, 415029, 21374
T08ATLAS Mauna Loa in Hawaii, 44 in MPECs 2020-Y85, 2020-Y92 & 2020-Y94 -- 2020 YS2, 2020 YL2, 2020 YJ1, 2020 TG4, 2020 OC8, 2017 SE19, 2016 ED85, 2016 CB32, 2015 BF4, 2015 AS45, 2011 GD60, 2003 YJ, 2003 BK47, 2002 LG3, 2001 YV3, 1999 VX15, 85275, 68359, 55532, 523633, 513125, 506779, 497094, 452307, 414903, 414586, 241662, 241596, 216707, 186822, 162781, 141079, 10150, 8567, 8037, 5836, 5587, 4503, 4179, 4055, 3199, 3122, 1943, 1685
L65Bredenkamp Obs., 2 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 159402, 7753
Z842E. Schwab via Calar Alto Schmidt in Spain, 3 in MPECs 2020-Y81, 2020-Y82 & 2020-Y86 -- 2020 YM2, 2020 YG2, 2020 YF2
Z844program code 4 via Calar Alto Schmidt in Spain, 2 in MPECs 2020-Y84 & 2020-Y85 -- 2020 YL2, 2020 YJ2
703Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) in Arizona, 33 in MPECs 2020-Y85 & 2020-Y94 -- 2020 YL2, 2020 VQ6, 2016 OP5, 2013 PY6, 2007 TG8, 2003 YM1, 2001 YV3, 89355, 508767, 497094, 416694, 380128, 351340, 345705, 305090, 29075, 23183, 22753, 21088, 202435, 190208, 16834, 163364, 152941, 138859, 137805, 10150, 8567, 8037, 6053, 5836, 5645, 5131
V06Catalina Sky Survey Kuiper Telescope (CSS-Kuiper) in Arizona, 26 in MPECs 2020-Y83, 2020-Y89, 2020-Y93, 2020-Y94, 2020-Y95, 2020-Y96 & 2020-Y97 -- 2020 YX2, 2020 YW2, 2020 YV2, 2020 YT2, 2020 YP2, 2020 YM, 2020 YK1, 2020 YH2, 2020 YD1, 2020 XZ2, 2020 XY3, 2020 XV3, 2020 XU3, 2020 XN5, 2020 XN3, 2020 XM6, 2020 XK6, 2020 XF1, 2020 XF, 2020 XE6, 2020 XC6, 2020 WY, 2020 WX4, 2020 WU2, 2020 VM6, 2020 UJ5
309&Marco Micheli via Cerro Paranal in Chile, 1 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 2020 MO1
807|Robert Holmes in Illinois via Cerro Tololo Inter-American Obs. (CTIO) in Chile, 7 in MPECs 2020-Y85, 2020-Y86, 2020-Y88, 2020-Y89, 2020-Y90, 2020-Y91 & 2020-Y93 -- 2020 YT2, 2020 YR2, 2020 YQ2, 2020 YP2, 2020 YO2, 2020 YM2, 2020 YL2
Z99Clixby Obs. in England, 2 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 2018 GX4, 2013 YS2
958Dax Obs. in France, 1 in MPEC 2020-Y84 -- 2020 YJ2
734Farpoint Obs. in Kansas, 1 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 2020 YF2
W46Foxfire Village Obs., 2 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 2014 WG365, 186822
K85Kelmis Obs., 1 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 162173
381Kiso Obs. in Japan, 1 in MPEC 2020-Y84 -- 2020 YJ2
1861program code 1 via Kitab Obs., 2 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 19764, 159402
G96Mt. Lemmon Survey (MLS) in Arizona, 50 in MPECs 2020-Y81, 2020-Y82, 2020-Y83, 2020-Y86, 2020-Y87, 2020-Y88, 2020-Y89, 2020-Y90, 2020-Y91, 2020-Y93, 2020-Y94, 2020-Y95, 2020-Y96 & 2020-Y97 -- 2020 YX2, 2020 YW2, 2020 YV2, 2020 YT2, 2020 YR2, 2020 YQ2, 2020 YP2, 2020 YO2, 2020 YN2, 2020 YM2, 2020 YH2, 2020 YG2, 2020 YF2, 2020 WC3, 2020 VQ3, 2020 UF7, 2020 QF5, 2020 OC8, 2020 ME5, 2017 SE19, 2016 VR5, 2016 TR54, 2016 BN1, 2015 XJ261, 2012 LD1, 2011 WD39, 2007 FK3, 2006 WG129, 2004 QD17, 2003 YR1, 2002 LG3, 68359, 523804, 506779, 483468, 403039, 361532, 35396, 302156, 241596, 22771, 216707, 159856, 143992, 136635, 111253, 9058, 5863, 5587, 1916
C51NEOWISE in Earth polar orbit, 4 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 2017 SE19, 2003 UB5, 152941, 4503
Z80Northolt Branch Obs. in England, 1 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 2020 WS5
F51Pan-STARRS 1 in Hawaii, 1 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 2010 VE139
V93Pin Oak Obs., 3 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 2013 UX14, 65717, 163902
H36Sandlot Obs. in Kansas, 2 in MPECs 2020-Y81 & 2020-Y88 -- 2020 YO2, 2020 YF2
C95SATINO-1 in France, 1 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 26760
0331program code 1 via Schwarzschild Obs. in Germany, 3 in MPECs 2020-Y95, 2020-Y96 & 2020-Y97 -- 2020 YX2, 2020 YW2, 2020 YV2
691Spacewatch 0.9m telescope in Arizona, 15 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 2020 YA1, 2020 XW4, 2020 XP, 2020 XJ, 2020 WC3, 2020 TT7, 2020 PD1, 2020 OC8, 2020 MZ3, 2017 AF5, 2016 EE156, 2011 WL2, 2011 GD60, 2009 HD82, 1999 RM45
291Spacewatch 1.8m telescope in Arizona, 4 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 2020 YN, 2020 WH2, 2016 UJ101, 2014 LR26
W34Squirrel Valley Obs. in North Carolina, 3 in MPECs 2020-Y84 & 2020-Y94 -- 2020 YJ2, 2012 XE133, 417217
I52Steward Obs. Mt. Lemmon Station in Arizona, 42 in MPECs 2020-Y81, 2020-Y82, 2020-Y85, 2020-Y86, 2020-Y87, 2020-Y88, 2020-Y89, 2020-Y90, 2020-Y91, 2020-Y92, 2020-Y94, 2020-Y95 & 2020-Y97 -- 2020 YX2, 2020 YV2, 2020 YV, 2020 YS2, 2020 YS, 2020 YR2, 2020 YQ2, 2020 YP2, 2020 YO2, 2020 YN2, 2020 YM2, 2020 YL2, 2020 YJ2, 2020 YJ1, 2020 YH1, 2020 YG2, 2020 YF2, 2020 YE1, 2020 YD, 2020 YC, 2020 YB1, 2020 XW4, 2020 XV6, 2020 XU6, 2020 XQ6, 2020 XO2, 2020 XN2, 2020 XN1, 2020 XM3, 2020 XL3, 2020 XH4, 2020 XG1, 2020 XD6, 2020 XD5, 2020 XC7, 2020 XC3, 2020 XB6, 2020 XA6, 2020 XA4, 2020 WZ1, 2020 WM5, 2020 WG
858Tebbutt Obs. in New Mexico, 4 in MPECs 2020-Y81, 2020-Y82, 2020-Y86 & 2020-Y87 -- 2020 YN2, 2020 YM2, 2020 YG2, 2020 YF2
W33Transit Dreams Obs., 2 in MPECs 2020-Y85 & 2020-Y94 -- 2020 YL2, 25916
N56Zijinshan-Beimian Survey, 3 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 2020 TG4, 99942, 373579
I41Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) in southern California, 39 in MPEC 2020-Y94 -- 2020 XH1, 2020 XH, 2020 WM5, 2020 VM3, 2020 TG4, 2020 RU, 2014 JH57, 2003 YM1, 1999 VX15, 89355, 88188, 86039, 85275, 53430, 530871, 505093, 483547, 465749, 438902, 435404, 351370, 31669, 283729, 242216, 241662, 21374, 177255, 163899, 162781, 152931, 141079, 137062, 10150, 7350, 5587, 4503, 4055, 3360, 1036
For a list of all participating observatories that have Web addresses, see A/CC's Observatory Links page.

Impact Risk Monitoring  on 22 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 YS2JPL Sentry17002093-209312.619e-07-9.86-9.860JPL: Computed at 02:05 today Pacific time based on 15 observations spanning .80417 days (2020-Dec-21.459571 to 2020-Dec-22.263742). Diameter approximately 0.002 km. from weighted mean H=30.98.
NEODyS17002092-209526.79e-09-11.49-11.520NEODyS: "Based on 15 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-21.460 to 2020-12-22.265."
2020 YR2JPL Sentry17002023-204043.225309e-06-6.09-6.090JPL: Computed at 02:03 today Pacific time based on 17 observations spanning 1.0033 days (2020-Dec-21.340932 to 2020-Dec-22.34419). Diameter approximately 0.007 km. from weighted mean H=28.48.
NEODyS17002023-2057242.31e-06-6.25-6.250NEODyS: "Based on 17 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-21.342 to 2020-12-22.345."
2020 YG2JPL Sentry17002067-210942.12343e-07-6.75-6.870JPL #2 for the day: Computed at 07:02 today Pacific time based on 30 observations spanning 1.9643 days (2020-Dec-20.19277 to 2020-Dec-22.157113). Diameter approximately 0.040 km. from weighted mean H=24.63.
NEODyS17002067-211742.39e-07-6.72-6.780NEODyS: "Based on 30 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-20.194 to 2020-12-22.158."
2020 YA2NEODyS17002101-2120302.27e-05-6.67-6.82n/aNEODyS: "Based on 14 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-20.241 to 2020-12-21.141."
2020 YM1NEODyS17002091-2120624.73e-05-7.00-7.29n/aNEODyS: "Based on 15 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-19.435 to 2020-12-21.204."
2020 YE1NEODyS1731R E M O V E D-
2020 YB1NEODyS21012073-2120442.51e-05-5.57-6.07n/aNEODyS: "Based on 37 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-17.531 to 2020-12-22.465."
JPL Sentry17002073-2120191.8763583e-05-5.71-6.180JPL: Computed at 07:08 today Pacific time based on 37 observations spanning 4.9333 days (2020-Dec-17.530488 to 2020-Dec-22.463802). Diameter approximately 0.015 km. from weighted mean H=26.81.
2020 YA1NEODyS17312099-2116155.97e-06-6.54-6.730NEODyS #2 for the day: "Based on 37 optical observations (of which 0 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-17.405 to 2020-12-22.469."
JPL Sentry17002088-211356.8144e-06-6.47-6.770JPL: Computed at 07:11 today Pacific time based on 37 observations spanning 5.0643 days (2020-Dec-17.404234 to 2020-Dec-22.4685). Diameter approximately 0.015 km. from weighted mean H=26.74.
2020 YNNEODyS17312046-205443.39e-05-5.33-5.350NEODyS: "Based on 32 optical observations (of which 2 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-17.253 to 2020-12-22.332."
JPL Sentry17002046-204749.0920106e-05-4.91-4.920JPL: Computed at 07:11 today Pacific time based on 30 observations spanning 5.0740 days (2020-Dec-17.25699 to 2020-Dec-22.33095). Diameter approximately 0.010 km. from weighted mean H=27.68.
2020 XV6JPL Sentry17002099-210546.2696e-07-4.76-5.100JPL: Computed at 07:10 today Pacific time based on 94 observations spanning 7.0493 days (2020-Dec-15.120177 to 2020-Dec-22.169524). Diameter approximately 0.096 km. from weighted mean H=22.73.
NEODyS17002099-210559.23e-07-4.61-4.960NEODyS: "Based on 94 optical observations (of which 1 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-15.121 to 2020-12-22.170."
2020 XU6NEODyS1731R E M O V E D-
JPL Sentry17002050-2117103.05412e-08-5.95-6.370JPL: Computed at 06:44 today Pacific time based on 36 observations spanning 7.9325 days (2020-Dec-14.362132 to 2020-Dec-22.29467). Diameter approximately 0.180 km. from weighted mean H=21.39.
2020 XA6JPL Sentry17002062-207341.731e-06-5.04-5.420JPL: Computed at 07:10 today Pacific time based on 87 observations spanning 8.0615 days (2020-Dec-14.124162 to 2020-Dec-22.185699). Diameter approximately 0.052 km. from weighted mean H=24.07.
NEODyS17002062-207387.47e-07-5.42-5.730NEODyS: "Based on 87 optical observations (of which 2 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-14.125 to 2020-12-22.186."
2020 XFNEODyS21012056-21205361.36e-03-3.87-4.04n/aNEODyS: "Based on 90 optical observations (of which 1 are rejected as outliers) from 2020-12-04.328 to 2020-12-22.100."
JPL Sentry17002056-21201420.000372552925-4.52-5.020JPL: Computed at 07:07 today Pacific time based on 90 observations spanning 17.772 days (2020-Dec-04.32683 to 2020-Dec-22.098803). Diameter approximately 0.015 km. from weighted mean H=26.70.
2020 MO1NEODyS1731R E M O V E D-
JPL Sentry1700R E M O V E DJPL: Risk listing removed at 1443 UTC today
2009 XQ2JPL Sentry06002084-211422.614e-10-8.95-9.180JPL: Computed at 11:50 April 10th of 2017 Pacific time based on 16 observations spanning .10157 days (2009-Dec-13.19944 to 2009-Dec-13.30101). Diameter approximately 0.051 km. from weighted mean H=24.12.

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 22 December '20

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

2101Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 XF risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 YB1 risk assessment - see above
1731Noted that NEODyS has removed 2020 MO1 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that NEODyS has removed 2020 XU6 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 YA1 risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has removed 2020 YE1 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 YN risk assessment - see above
1700Noted that JPL Sentry has removed 2020 MO1 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 XA6 risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 XA6 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 XF risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 XU6 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 XV6 risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 XV6 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 YA1 risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has updated its 2020 YA1 risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has posted 2020 YA2 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 YB1 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 YG2 risk assessment - see above
Noted that NEODyS has posted 2020 YG2 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that NEODyS has posted 2020 YM1 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2020 YN risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has posted 2020 YR2 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that NEODyS has posted 2020 YR2 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has posted 2020 YS2 as an impact risk - see above
Noted that NEODyS has posted 2020 YS2 as an impact risk - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y85 - 2020 YL2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y86 - 2020 YM2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y87 - 2020 YN2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y88 - 2020 YO2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y89 - 2020 YP2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y90 - 2020 YQ2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y91 - 2020 YR2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y92 - 2020 YS2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y93 - 2020 YT2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y94 - Daily Orbit Update - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y95 - 2020 YV2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y96 - 2020 YW2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y97 - 2020 YX2 - see above
0600Noted that JPL Sentry has updated its 2009 XQ2 risk assessment - see above
Noted that JPL Sentry has posted 2020 YG2 as an impact risk - see above
0530Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y81 - 2020 YF2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y82 - 2020 YG2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y83 - 2020 YH2 - see above
Grabbed MPEC 2020-Y84 - 2020 YJ2 - see above