2002 HK12

2002 HK12 was discovered by NEAT on 2002 April 30th. After discovery precovery observations were found at two previous oppositions, the earlier of them as far back as 1985. This gives it a high-quality orbit that will allow it to be numbered in the near future. The asteroid is Earth-crossing (i.e. an Apollo object) with perihelion at 0.938AU and a closest approach of the orbit of 0.022AU (3.3 million kilometres). The orbital period is 2.83 years.

The absolute magnitude is 18.2 - equivalent to a diameter of 1.0+/-0.3km, thus this object is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid. It is currently fading, although very well placed for observation, after a moderately close approach to the Earth.


G The observations show a slow decline consistent with the increase in distance of the asteroid from the Earth. In 4 weeks from late September the geocentric distance doubles with a consequent fade from 16.0 to 16.9. By the end of 2002 though the asteroid will drop to magnitude 21.

Some of the data from September shows a very large dispersion. This data has been carefully re-reduced with no change in the results. The trend in the data though is as expected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Observations by:

 

 

Image: September 7th 2002 22:50:18UT

Image of 2002 HK12 taken with a 25.4-cm Schmidt Cassegrain at prime focus. Starlight Express MX916usb.

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John Fletcher F.R.A.S.
jfmto@blueyonder.co.uk

Mount Tuffley Observatory. Code J93.

Latitude: North 51 degrees 48minutes 51.3 seconds.

Longitude: West 02 degrees 15minutes 26.6 seconds.
http://www.jfmto.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

 


Última actualización 12/10/02
Por M.R.Kidger