(88710) 2001 SL9 (provisional designation 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 size ratio of 0.28.[2]

(88710) 2001 SL9
Orbit of 2001 SL9
Discovery[1][2]
Discovered byNEAT
Discovery sitePalomar Obs.
Discovery date18 September 2001
Designations
2001 SL9
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 13 January 2016 (JD 2457400.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc22318 days (61.10 yr)
Aphelion1.3480 AU (201.66 Gm)
Perihelion0.77471 AU (115.895 Gm)
1.0613 AU (158.77 Gm)
Eccentricity0.27006
1.09 yr (399.37 d)
239.06°
0° 54m 5.112s / day
Inclination21.900°
202.86°
329.30°
Known satellites1
Earth MOID0.197987 AU (29.6184 Gm)
Jupiter MOID3.64009 AU (544.550 Gm)
Physical characteristics
1 km (0.62 mi)[3]
Mass109 mt
Mean density
1.8 g/cm3[2]
Equatorial surface gravity
0.02565 mm/s2[4]
Equatorial escape velocity
0.05116 mm/s[4]
2.4004 h (0.10002 d)
2.40035±0.00005 hours[1][5]
0.16[2]
Temperature230-303 K (-43-30°C)[4]
17.6[1]

Near-Earth asteroid

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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]

Moon

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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]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "88710 (2001 SL9)". JPL Small-Body Database. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. SPK-ID: 2088710. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Johnston, Robert (1 September 2005). "(88710) 2001 SL9". Johnston Archive. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  3. ^ "Asteroids Do Have Satellites". Asteroids III. 2002. Bibcode:2002aste.book..289M.
  4. ^ a b c "HEC: Exoplanets Calculator". Planetary Habitability Laboratory. University of Puerto Rico. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  5. ^ Green, Daniel (3 November 2001). "IAUC 7742: 2001fd; 2001fe; 2001 SL_9". International Astronomical Union. Harvard University. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  6. ^ a b Benner, Lance (14 December 2004). "BINARY NEAR-EARTH ASTEROIDS DETECTED BY RADAR". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
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