(162058) 1997 AE12

(162058) 1997 AE12
1997 AE12 on August 16, 2003
Discovery[1]
Discovered by Spacewatch
Discovery site Kitt Peak National Obs.
Discovery date 10 January 1997
Designations
MPC designation (162058) 1997 AE12
1997 AE12
Amor · NEO [2]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 13 January 2016 (JD 2457400.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc 8218 days (22.50 yr)
Aphelion 3.6809 AU (550.65 Gm)
Perihelion 1.0617 AU (158.83 Gm)
2.3713 AU (354.74 Gm)
Eccentricity 0.55229
3.65 yr (1333.8 d)
134.89°
0° 16m 11.676s / day
Inclination 4.8779°
305.539°
59.870°
Earth MOID 0.0911 AU (13.6 Gm)
Physical characteristics
Dimensions 0.782 km[3]
0.85 km[4]
1,880 h (78 d)[1]
0.0743[5]
0.20[3]
Surface temp. min mean max
Kelvin[6] 142 K 203.5 K 265 K
Celsius -131°C -69.5°C -8°C
Fahrenheit -203.8°F -93.1°F 17.6°F
Q[4]
17.9[1]

    (162058) 1997 AE12 is a near-Earth object and Amor asteroid, approximately 800 meters in diameter. It was discovered on 10 January 1997, by the U.S Spacewatch project at Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona.[2] It holds the record for being the slowest-rotating asteroid discovered so far.[4][3]

    Interactions with other planets

    1997 AE12 occasionally makes close approaches to Earth and Mars.[1] Its closest recorded approach to Earth took place on August 30, 2003, when the asteroid came within 0.1238 AU (18,520,000 km) from Earth. It will come closer still on October 8, 2145, when it will be within 0.1042 AU (15,590,000 km) from Earth. 1997 AE12 will make its closest approach to Mars on December 29, 2054 when it will come within 0.0376 AU (5,620,000 km) from the planet.

    Physical properties

    1997 AE12 is a large asteroid with a diameter of around 850 m (0.53 mi). It is a rare Q-type asteroid with a very dark surface, reflecting only about 7% of the light it receives.[4] The most unusual feature of 1997 AE12, however, is its exceptionally slow rotation period of 1,800 hours (78.3 days).[1] Like other slowly-rotating asteroids such as 912 Maritima, it is possible that the extremely long period of 1997 AE12 is caused by YORP radiation pressure slowing down the asteroid's rotation.[7] This is especially likely considering that 1997 AE12 has a very low albedo, which would allow it to absorb more radiant energy from the Sun. Furthermore, the YORP effect has also been observed on other Q-type asteroids such as 1862 Apollo.[8]

    See also

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 162058 (1997 AE12)" (2015-01-27 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
    2. 1 2 "162058 (1997 AE12)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
    3. 1 2 3 "LCDB Data for (162058)". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 22 August 2016.
    4. 1 2 3 4 "(162058) 1997AE12". NEODyS. University of Pisa. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
    5. ↑ Bruton, Dan. "Conversion of Absolute Magnitude to Diameter for Minor Planets". Stephan F. Austin State University. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
    6. ↑ "Planetary Habitability Calculators". Planetary Habitability Laboratory. University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
    7. ↑ Higgins, David; Martinez, Luis (2011). "Period Determination of Asteroid 912 Maritima". The Minor Planet Bulletin. 38 (2): 78–79. Bibcode:2011MPBu...38...78H. ISSN 1052-8091.
    8. ↑ Kaasalainen, Mikko; Ďurech, Josef; Warner, Brian D.; Krugly, Yurij N.; Gaftonyuk, Ninel M. (2007). "Acceleration of the rotation of asteroid 1862 Apollo by radiation torques". Nature. 446 (7134): 420. Bibcode:2007Natur.446..420K. doi:10.1038/nature05614.

    External links

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