(467336) 2002 LT38

(467336) 2002 LT38, is a sub-kilometer asteroid and suspected tumbler, classified as a near-Earth object and potentially hazardous asteroid of the Aten group, approximately 240 meters (790 ft) in diameter. It was discovered on 12 June 2002, by astronomers of the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research at the Lincoln Laboratory's Experimental Test Site near Socorro, New Mexico, in the United States.[2]

(467336) 2002 LT38
Discovery[1][2]
Discovered byLINEAR
Discovery siteLincoln Lab's ETS
Discovery date12 June 2002
Designations
(467336) 2002 LT38
2002 LT38
NEO · Aten · PHA[1][2]  
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 23 March 2018 (JD 2458200.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc14.09 yr (5,148 days)
Aphelion1.1103 AU
Perihelion0.5799 AU
0.8451 AU
Eccentricity0.3138
0.78 yr (284 days)
316.03°
1° 16m 7.32s / day
Inclination6.1959°
259.41°
162.73°
Earth MOID0.0344 AU (13.4 LD)
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
0.236 km (calculated)[3]
0.240 km (est. at 0.20)[4]
21.80±0.05 h[5][lower-alpha 1]
0.20 (assumed)[3]
S (assumed)[3]
20.5[1][3]

    Orbit and classification

    2002 LT38 orbits the Sun at a distance of 0.6–1.1 AU once every 9 months (284 days; semi-major axis of 0.85 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.31 and an inclination of 6° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

    The body's observation arc begins with a precovery taken at AMOS on 10 June 2002, two nights prior to its official discovery observation at Lincoln Lab's ETS.[2]

    Close approaches

    2002 LT38 has an Earth minimum orbital intersection distance of 0.0344 AU (5,150,000 km) which corresponds to 13.4 lunar distances.[1] It will pass at that distance during its close encounter with Earth on 27 June 2030.[1]

    Earth Approaches on 24 June 2023 and 27 June 2030[1]
    Date JPL Horizons
    nominal geocentric
    distance (AU)    		 uncertainty
    region
    (3-sigma)
    2023-Jun-24 18:280.04450 AU (6.657 million km)[1]±31 km[6]
    2030-Jun-27 23:130.03447 AU (5.157 million km)[1]±23 km[7]

    Physical characteristics

    The asteroid is an assumed stony S-type asteroid.[3]

    Rotation period

    In July 2016, a first rotational lightcurve of 2002 LT38 was obtained from photometric observations by American astronomer Brian Warner at his Palmer Divide Station in California (U82). Lightcurve analysis gave a longer-than average rotation period of 21.80 hours with a brightness variation of 1.16 magnitude (U=2+).[5][lower-alpha 1] A high brightness amplitude typically indicates that the body has a non-spherical, elongated shape. It is also a suspected tumbler.[5]

    Diameter and albedo

    The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes a standard albedo for stony asteroids of 0.20 and calculates a diameter of 0.236 kilometers based on an absolute magnitude of 20.5.[3]

    Numbering and naming

    This minor planet was numbered by the Minor Planet Center on 21 May 2016, after its orbit determination became sufficiently secure (M.P.C. 100286).[8] As of 2018, it has not been named.[2]

    Notes
    1. Lightcurve plot of (467336) 2002 LT38 by Brian Warner, Palmer Divide Station, California (2016). Rotation period 21.80±0.05 hours with a brightness amplitude of 1.16±0.05 mag. Quality Code of 2+. Summary figures at the LCDB. Observers comment: "There may be some indications of tumbling in the lightcurve, for example, the 'break' in the Fourier curve around 0.45 rotation phase".

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 467336 (2002 LT38)" (2016-07-14 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
    2. "467336 (2002 LT38)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
    3. "LCDB Data for (467336)". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 23 November 2017.
    4. "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS NASA/JPL. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
    5. Warner, Brian D. (January 2017). "Near-Earth Asteroid Lightcurve Analysis at CS3-Palmer Divide Station: 2016 July-September". The Minor Planet Bulletin. 44 (1): 22–36. Bibcode:2017MPBu...44...22W. ISSN 1052-8091. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
    6. "Horizons Batch for 2023-06-24 Close Approach". JPL Horizons. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022. RNG_3sigma = uncertainty range in km. (JPL#72/Soln.date: 2021-Apr-14 generates RNG_3sigma = 31 km)
    7. "Horizons Batch for 2030-06-27 Close Approach". JPL Horizons. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022. RNG_3sigma = uncertainty range in km. (JPL#72/Soln.date: 2021-Apr-14 generates RNG_3sigma = 23 km)
    8. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
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