(88710) 2001 SL9 is a sub-kilometer asteroid and binary system, classified as near-Earth object of Apollo group[1] discovered by NEAT at Palomar Observatory on 18 September 2001. It measures approximately 960 meters in diameter, while its 2001-discovered minor-planet moon has an estimated diameter of 200 meters based on a secondary to primary mean-diameter ration of 0.28.[2]
Orbit of 2001 SL9 | |
| Discovery[1][2] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | NEAT |
| Discovery site | Palomar Obs. |
| Discovery date | 18 September 2001 |
| Designations | |
Alternative designations | 2001 SL9 |
| Orbital characteristics[1] | |
| Epoch 13 January 2016 (JD 2457400.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 0 | |
| Observation arc | 22318 days (61.10 yr) |
| Aphelion | 1.3480 AU (201.66 Gm) |
| Perihelion | 0.77471 AU (115.895 Gm) |
Semi-major axis | 1.0613 AU (158.77 Gm) |
| Eccentricity | 0.27006 |
Orbital period (sidereal) | 1.09 yr (399.37 d) |
Mean anomaly | 239.06° |
Mean motion | 0° 54m 5.112s / day |
| Inclination | 21.900° |
Longitude of ascending node | 202.86° |
Argument of perihelion | 329.30° |
| Known satellites | 1 |
| Earth MOID | 0.197987 AU (29.6184 Gm) |
| Jupiter MOID | 3.64009 AU (544.550 Gm) |
| Physical characteristics | |
Mean diameter | 1 km (0.62 mi)[3] |
| Mass | 109 mt |
Mean density | 1.8 g/cm3[2] |
Equatorial surface gravity | 0.02565 mm/s2[4] |
Equatorial escape velocity | 0.05116 mm/s[4] |
Synodic rotation period | 2.4004 h (0.10002 d) |
Sidereal rotation period | 2.40035±0.00005 hours[1][5] |
Geometric albedo | 0.16[2] |
| Temperature | 230-303 K (-43-30°C)[4] |
Absolute magnitude (H) | 17.6[1] |
Although 2001 SL9 is classified as a near-Earth object, it does not pose any threats. It has never, nor will it ever in the next century, come closer than 15,000,000 km (0.1 AU) from Earth or Venus.[1] However, the asteroid would make a good target for a spacecraft flyby, as a flyby to 2001 SL9 would only require a delta-v of 5.4 km/s.[6]
2001 SL9 has one minor-planet moon, S/2001 (88710) 1. It was discovered from lightcurve observations[6] made by Czech astronomer Petr Pravec and collaborators.[2] This moon is approximately 200 m (660 ft) in diameter. Its semi-major axis is 1.6 km (0.99 mi) and its orbital period is 16.4 hours.[2]
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