2017 AG13 is a small Aten asteroid that made a close approach of 0.54 lunar distances from Earth on January 9, 2017.[4] It was the largest asteroid to pass less than 1 lunar distance from Earth since 2016 QA2 on August 28, 2016. The Catalina Sky Survey observed it first on January 7, 2017, only two days before its closest approach. At its brightest, 2017 AG13 reached apparent magnitude 12.2.[1][2] Shortly after, it moved too close to the Sun to be seen by telescopes.

2017 AG13
Discovery[1]
Discovered byCSS
Discovery siteCatalina Stn.
Discovery dateJanuary 7, 2017
(first observed only)
Designations
2017 AG13
NEO · Aten[1][2]
Orbital characteristics[2]
Epoch 27 April 2019 (JD 2458600.5)
Uncertainty parameter 6[2] · 5[1]
Observation arc2 days
Aphelion1.3762 AU
Perihelion0.5500 AU
0.9631 AU
Eccentricity0.4289
345 days
84.963°
1° 2m 34.08s / day
Inclination16.453°
289.25°
297.92°
Earth MOID0.000132757 AU (0.0517 LD)
Venus MOID0.06864 AU[1]
Physical characteristics
15–36 m (est. at 0.30–0.05)[3]
26.1[1][2]

The asteroid frequently makes close approaches to Earth, possibly passing as close as 127,000 kilometres (79,000 mi) to Earth on January 9, 2069, however it will most likely pass much farther away.[2][5]

Based on an absolute magnitude of 26.1, 2017 AG13 is likely 15–36 metres (49–118 feet) across, assuming a typical asteroid albedo of between 0.05 and 0.3.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f "2017 AG13". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2017 AG13)" (2017-01-09 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS NASA/JPL. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  4. ^ "Newly discovered asteroid 2017 AG13 to flyby Earth at 0.53 LD". The Watchers - Daily news service. January 8, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  5. ^ "Asteroid 2017 AG13 – Close approaches". NeoDyS-2, Asteroids – Dynamic Site. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
edit