2017 VL2
{{DISPLAYTITLE:{{mp|2017 VL|2}}}}
{{use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox planet
| minorplanet = yes
| name = {{mp|2017 VL|2}}
| background = #FFC2E0
| image = 2017 VL2 orbit.png
| image_scale =
| caption = The orbit of {{mp|2017 VL|2}} and positions on 1 January 2018
| discoverer = ATLAS
| discovery_site = Mauna Loa Obs.
| discovered = 10 November 2017
| mpc_name = {{mp|2017 VL|2}}
| alt_names =
| pronounced =
| named_after =
| mp_category = NEO{{·}}Apollo
| epoch = 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
| uncertainty = 7
| observation_arc = (16 days)
| aphelion = 1.5139 AU
| perihelion = 0.9466 AU
| semimajor = 1.2303 AU
| eccentricity = 0.2306
| period = 1.36 yr (498 days)
| mean_anomaly = 337.43°
| mean_motion = {{Deg2DMS|0.7223|sup=ms}} / day
| inclination = 12.091°
| asc_node = 227.05°
| arg_peri = 139.41°
| moid = 0.0012 AU (0.5 LD)
| mean_diameter = {{val|18|ul=m}} {{small|(est. at 0.20)}}
6–32 m {{small|(estimate)}}
| rotation =
| albedo =
}}
{{mp|2017 VL|2}} is a micro-asteroid, classified as a near-Earth object of the Apollo group. It was first observed by ATLAS at Mauna Loa Observatory on 10 November 2017, a day after it passed inside the orbit of Earth.
Orbit and classification
{{mp|2017 VL|2}} is an Apollo asteroid, the largest subgroup of near-Earth objects. It orbits the Sun at a distance of 0.9–1.5 AU once every 16 months (498 days; semi-major axis of 1.23 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.23 and an inclination of 12° with respect to the ecliptic. It is, however, not a Mars-crossing asteroid, as its aphelion of 1.51 AU is less than the orbit of the Red Planet at 1.666 AU.
= Close approaches =
The object has a minimum orbital intersection distance with Earth of {{convert |0.0012 |AU |km |abbr=on |lk=off |sigfig=3 |order=flip}}, which corresponds to 0.5 lunar distances. On 9 November 2017, it came within 0.31 lunar distances of the Earth (see diagrams).
{{multiple image
|direction = horizontal
|align= left
|width1= 160
|width2= 350
|image1=2017 VL2 flyby.png
|image2=2017_VL2_skypath.png
|footer= Path of {{mp|2017 VL|2}} as it passed inside Earth's orbit on 9 November 2017 (left). The object's path in the sky with 1 hour of motion on 9 November 2017 (right).
}}
{{clear|left}}
Physical characteristics
{{mp|2017 VL|2}} has been estimated to measure between 6 and 32 meters in diameter, comparable to the Chelyabinsk meteor, which was also not observed before it hit the atmosphere over Russia in 2013. For an assumed albedo of 0.20, which is typical for the common S-type asteroids, {{mp|2017 VL|2}}'s diameter would be likely 18 meters only. The size of asteroid 2017 VL2 has been described as that of a whale.{{Cite web |last=Hamill |first=Jasper |date=2017-12-08 |title=A huge asteroid zoomed terrifyingly close to Earth and Nasa didn't see it coming |url=https://metro.co.uk/2017/12/08/asteroid-2017-vl2-zoomed-terrifyingly-close-earth-nasa-didnt-see-coming-7144051/ |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=Metro |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-31 |title=Astronomers launch new asteroid-classification system based on animal sizes |url=https://physicsworld.com/astronomers-launch-new-asteroid-classification-system-based-on-animal-sizes/ |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=Physics World |language=en-GB}}
As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of this asteroid has been obtained from photometric observations. The object's rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown.
Numbering and naming
This minor planet has not yet been numbered by the Minor Planet Center and remains unnamed.
References
{{reflist|30em|refs=
|type = 2017-11-26 last obs.
|title = JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2017 VL2)
|url = https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=3789141
|publisher = Jet Propulsion Laboratory
|accessdate = 8 February 2018}}
|title = 2017 VL2
|work = Minor Planet Center
|url = http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=2017+VL2
|accessdate = 8 February 2018}}
|title = Asteroid Size Estimator
|publisher = CNEOS NASA/JPL
|url = https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/ast_size_est.html
|accessdate = 7 February 2018}}
|title = LCDB Data for (2017 VL2) – Not in Data Base
|publisher = Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB)
|url = http://www.minorplanet.info/PHP/generateOneAsteroidInfo.php?AstInfo=0%7C2017+VL2
|accessdate = 7 February 2018}}
}}
External links
- [https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K17/K17V67.html MPEC 2017-V67 : 2017 VL2] minor planet center
- {{NeoDys|2017VL2}}
- {{ESA-SSA|2017VL2}}
- {{JPL small body|id=3789141}}
{{Small Solar System bodies}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2017 VL2}}
Category:Minor planet object articles (unnumbered)