(480808) 1994 XL1

(480808) 1994 XL1 is a sub-kilometer asteroid, classified as near-Earth object and potentially hazardous asteroid of the Aten group, approximately 200 meters (700 feet) in diameter. It was discovered on 6 December 1994, by Scottish–Australian astronomer Robert McNaught at Siding Spring Observatory in Australia.[1] It was one of the first asteroids discovered to have a semi-major axis less than Venus.

(480808) 1994 XL1
Discovery[1][2]
Discovered byR. H. McNaught
Discovery siteSiding Spring Obs.
Discovery date6 December 1994
Designations
(480808) 1994 XL1
1994 XL1
NEO · Aten · PHA[1][3]
Orbital characteristics[3]
Epoch 30 January 2013 (JD 2456322.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc21.99 yr (8,033 days)
Aphelion1.0240 AU
Perihelion0.3178 AU
0.6709 AU
Eccentricity0.5263
0.55 yr (201 days)
205.64°
1° 47m 36.96s / day
Inclination28.167°
252.68°
356.54°
Earth MOID0.0365 AU · 14.2 LD
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
0.2 km (est. at 0.20)[4]
20.9[3]

    Orbit and classification

    1994 XL1 orbits the Sun at a distance of 0.3–1.0 AU once every 0 years and 7 months (201 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.53 and an inclination of 28° with respect to the ecliptic.[3] No precoveries were taken, and no prior identifications were made. The body's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation.[1]

    Close encounter

    The asteroid has an Earth minimum orbital intersection distance of 0.0365 AU (5,460,000 km), which translates into 14.2 lunar distances.[3] It passed 0.03709 AU (5,550,000 km) from Earth on 6 December 1994.[5] On 4 December 2044, it will pass again at 0.03637 AU (5,440,000 km) from Earth.[5]

    Physical characteristics

    1994 XL1 has not been observed by any of the space-based surveys such as the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS, the Japanese Akari satellite, and NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission. Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, 1994 XL1 measures approximately 0.2 kilometers in diameter assuming an albedo of 0.20, which is a typical value for stony S-type asteroids.[4]

    As of 2017, no rotational lightcurve of this object has been obtained. The body's rotation period, shape and poles remain unknown.[6]

    Naming and numbering

    After its first observation in 1994, this minor planet was numbered 23 years later by the Minor Planet Center on 12 January 2017 (M.P.C. 112958),[7]: 698  after its last observation with the LCO–A 1-meter global telescope station at Sutherland, South Africa, on 6 December 2016 (K91). As of 2018, the asteroid has not been named .[1][3]

    References
    1. "480808 (1994 XL1)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
    2. "MPEC 1994-X04 : 1994 XL1". Minor Planet Center. 9 December 1994. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
    3. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 480808 (1994 XL1)" (2016-12-06 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
    4. "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS/JPL. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
    5. "JPL Close-Approach Data: (1994 XL1)" (2011-12-17 last obs (arc=17.03 years)). Retrieved 23 January 2013.
    6. "LCDB Data for (480808)". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 1 August 2017.
    7. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
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