1998 KY26
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Template:Mp is a nearly spherical sub-kilometer asteroid, classified as a near-Earth object of the Apollo group. It measures approximately Script error: No such module "convert". in diameter and is a fast rotator, having a rotational period of only 5.35 minutes.[1] It was first observed on 2 June 1998, by the Spacewatch survey at Kitt Peak National Observatory during 6 days during which it passed 800,000 kilometers (half a million miles) away from Earth (a little more than twice the Earth–Moon distance).[2][3]
The object's orbit is well known, since it was recovered in 2002 by the Hawaiian Observatory, and it was most recently observed, from 17 April 2024 through 3 June 2024, by several observatories.[2]
Orbit and classification
Template:Mp orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.0–1.5 AU once every 16 months (500 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.20 and an inclination of 1° with respect to the ecliptic. It has an Earth minimum orbital intersection distance of approximately Script error: No such module "convert"., corresponding to 0.98 lunar distances.[4]
As a result, it is one of the most easily accessible objects in the Solar System,[5] and its orbit frequently brings it on a path very similar to the optimum Earth–Mars transfer orbit.[4] This, coupled with its high water content, makes it an attractive target for further study and a potential source of water for future missions to Mars.[6]
In 2023, Template:Mp was identified as a possible dark comet.[7] Dark comets are asteroids that exhibit comet-like acceleration, but visually appear as asteroids, with no coma or tail.[8] Astronomers who study them believe the acceleration is caused by outgassing on the sunlit side.[8]
Physical properties
The physical properties of this object were measured by an international team of astronomers led by Dr. Steven J. Ostro of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory using a radar telescope in California and optical telescopes in the Czech Republic, Hawaii, Arizona and California.
Template:Mp is characterized as a potentially metallic X-type asteroid.[9] Optical and radar observations indicate that it is a water-rich object.[6]
From light curve photometry in 1998, the object is measured to have a rotation period of only 10.7 minutes, which was considered to be one of the shortest sidereal days of any known Solar System object at the time; most asteroids with established rotational rates have periods measured in hours.[10] As a result, it cannot possibly be a rubble pile, as many asteroids are thought to be, and must instead be a monolithic object.[11][10][12] It was the first such object to be discovered, but since 1998, several other small asteroids have been found to also have short rotation periods, some even faster than Template:Mp. Being a rotating body in space, it is subject to the Yarkovsky effect. Observations of the asteroid during a close approach to Earth in 2024 revealed a smaller diameter of 11 meters, a shorter rotation period of 5.35 minutes, and a brighter albedo of 0.52.
Exploration
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In September 2020, a mission extension for JAXA's Hayabusa2 asteroid sample return probe was selected to do additional flybys of two near-Earth asteroids: 98943 Torifune in July 2026 and a rendezvous with Template:Mp in July 2031. The rendezvous with Template:Mp will be the first visit of a rapidly rotating micro-asteroid.[13] This will also make Template:Mp the smallest object to ever be studied by a spacecraft.[14] Observations of the asteroid in 2024 cast doubt on if a landing on the asteroid is even possible.[4]
Further reading
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References
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External links
- MPEC 1998-L02
- Scott Hudson's Homepage: The Earth-Crossing Asteroid Template:Mp
- Steven Ostro's Homepage: Template:Mp
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- Media Relations Office. Sun never sets, for long, on fast-spinning, water-rich asteroid (press release). Pasadena, California: Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 22 July 1999.
- Template:NeoDys
- Template:ESA-SSA
- Template:PAGENAMEBASE at the JPL Small-Body DatabaseTemplate:EditAtWikidata
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- Apollo asteroids
- Minor planet object articles (unnumbered)
- Discoveries by Tom Gehrels
- Earth-crossing asteroids
- Fast rotating minor planets
- Astronomical objects discovered in 1998
- Minor planets to be visited by spacecraft