Astronomy:2021 UA1

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Short description: Earth-crossing asteroid


2021 UA1
2021 UA1-orbit.png
Orbit of 2021 UA1
Discovery[1]
Discovered byCatalina Sky Survey
Discovery date25 October 2021
Designations
2021 UA1
Minor planet category
Orbital characteristics[3]
Epoch 2021-Jul-01 (JD 2459396.5)
Uncertainty parameter 6
Observation arc0.9 days[2]
|{{{apsis}}}|helion}}1.35 astronomical unit|AU (Q)
|{{{apsis}}}|helion}}0.6139 AU (q)
0.98 AU (a)
Eccentricity0.3750 (e)
Orbital period0.97 years
Mean anomaly312.8° (M)
Inclination10.19° (i)
Longitude of ascending node211.6° (Ω)
66.27° (ω)
Earth MOID0.000064 AU (9,600 km)
Jupiter MOID3.7 AU (550,000,000 km)
Physical characteristics
Dimensions
  • ~2 m (7 ft)[2]
  • 1–3 meters
Absolute magnitude (H)31.8[3][4]


2021 UA1 is a small (~2 meter) near-Earth object that passed about 3047 km from the surface of Earth while passing over Antarctica on 25 October 2021 around 03:07 UT.[5][lower-alpha 1] Given the small size of the asteroid it only reached the brightness of Pluto at around apparent magnitude 14.[5] Since it approached from the direction of the Sun, it was not discovered until 4 hours after closest approach.[1]


The 2021 Earth approach lifted the orbit and increased the orbital period from 356 days to 413 days.[6] This changed it from an Aten asteroid to an Apollo asteroid.

Orbital Elements
Parameter Epoch Period
(p)
Aphelion
(Q)
Perihelion
(q)
Semi-major axis
(a)
Eccentricity
(e)
Inclination
(i)
Units (days) AU (°)
Pre-flyby 2021-Jul-01[3] 355.6 1.351 0.614 0.982 0.3750 10.19°
Post-flyby 2022-Jan-01[6] 413.1 1.525 0.646 1.086 0.4046 0.006°
Animation of 2021 UA1's orbit around Sun - 2021 Earth approach
  2021 UA1 ·   Mercury  ·   Venus  ·   Earth ·   Mars  ·   Sun

Notes

  1. Geocentric approach distance 0.000063 AU – 6378 km (Earth radius) is 3047 km. It passed within 4 degrees of the South celestial pole near closest approach.

References

External links