2017 TD6

2017 TD6 is a micro-asteroid, classified as a near-Earth object of the Apollo group, approximately 10–20 meters in diameter. It was first observed by Pan-STARRS at Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii, on 11 October 2017.[2]

2017 TD6
Discovery[1][2]
Discovered byPan-STARRS
Discovery siteHaleakala Obs.
Discovery date11 October 2017
(first observed only)
Designations
2017 TD6
NEO · Apollo[1]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 6
Observation arc(8 days)
Aphelion1.5284 AU
Perihelion0.7798 AU
1.1541 AU
Eccentricity0.3243
1.24 yr (453 days)
275.44°
0° 47m 42s / day
Inclination1.7198°
26.985°
82.738°
Earth MOID0.00034 AU · 0.13 LD
Physical characteristics
Dimensions9.9–22 m[3]
11 m (generic at 0.20)[4]
27.162[1] · 27.175

    On 19 October 2017, the asteroid transited Earth at a nominal distance of 191,000 km; 119,000 mi (0.001278 AU), which corresponds to 0.5 lunar distances (LD). On the following day it also passed near the Moon at 113,000 km (0.00075575 AU).[1] Peaking near a magnitude of 18, the object was too faint to be seen—except for the largest telescopes.[3]

    As of 2018, 2017 TD6 has a poorly determined orbit with an uncertainty of 6 and a short observation arc of 8 days only. Due to its small size, the asteroid is likely to remain unobserved until its next, still relatively distant approach, predicted to occur in March 2044, at a distance of 2,030,000 km (0.01358 AU) or 5.3 LD from Earth.[1]

    See also
    • 2012 TC4 – A similar small asteroid that passed close to the earth on 12 October 2017

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2017 TD6)" (2017-10-19 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
    2. "2017 TD6". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
    3. Steve Spaleta (19 October 2017). "Newfound Bus-Size Asteroid Will Zoom Safely By Earth Today". Space.com. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
    4. "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS NASA/JPL. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
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