2020 PN1

2020 PN1 is a sub-kilometer asteroid, classified as a near-Earth object of the Aten group, that is a temporary horseshoe companion to the Earth. There are dozens of known Earth horseshoe librators, some of which switch periodically between the quasi-satellite and the horseshoe co-orbital states.[6]

2020 PN1
Discovery
Discovered byATLAS-HKO
Discovery siteHaleakalā Observatory
Discovery date12 August 2020
Designations
Designation
2020 PN1
Orbital characteristics[2][3][4]
Epoch 31 May 2020 (JD 2459000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc361 days
Aphelion1.12482093 AU
Perihelion0.8713906 AU
0.998105754 AU
Eccentricity0.1269557
1.00 y (364.219560 d)
32.06964°
Inclination4.80807°
145.63610°
55.40365°
Earth MOID0.0248258 AU
Physical characteristics
Dimensions10–50 m[a][5]
25.5[2]

    Discovery

    2020 PN1 was discovered on 12 August 2020 by L. Denneau, J. Tonry, A. Heinze, and H. Weiland observing for the ATLAS-HKO Survey.[7] As of 20 January 2021, it has been observed 41 times with an observation arc of 361 days.[2]

    Orbit and orbital evolution

    2020 PN1 is currently an Aten asteroid (Earth-crossing but with a period less than a year). Its semi-major axis (currently 0.998105754 AU) is similar to that of Earth (0.999789 AU), but it has a moderate eccentricity (0.1269557) and low orbital inclination (4.80807°). It alternates between being an Aten asteroid and being an Apollo asteroid, although its orbital evolution is not fully stable and it can be considered as a temporary co-orbital companion to the Earth.[6]

    Physical properties

    With an absolute magnitude of 25.5 mag, it has a diameter in the range 10–50 meters (for an assumed albedo range of 0.04–0.20, respectively).

    Exploration

    2020 PN1 was pre-selected for an exploration by a Chinese mission of planetary defense including an impactor and a separate orbiter planned to launch in 2026.[8] However, in April 2023, the new target is 2019 VL5.[9]

    See also

    Notes
    • ^ This is assuming an albedo of 0.20–0.04.

    References
    1. List Of Aten Minor Planets
    2. 2020 PN1 at the JPL Small-Body Database Retrieved 2021-01-20
    3. AstDys-2 on 2020 PN1 Retrieved 2021-01-20
    4. NEODyS-2 on 2020 PN1 Retrieved 2021-01-20
    5. Absolute-magnitude conversion table (H)
    6. de la Fuente Marcos, Carlos; de la Fuente Marcos, Raúl (March 2021). "Using Mars co-orbitals to estimate the importance of rotation-induced YORP break-up events in Earth co-orbital space". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 501 (4): 6007–6025. arXiv:2101.02563. Bibcode:2021MNRAS.501.6007D. doi:10.1093/mnras/stab062.
    7. Discovery MPEC
    8. Andrew Jones (July 12, 2022). "China to target near-Earth object 2020 PN1 for asteroid deflection mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
    9. Andrew Jones (April 11, 2023). "China to target asteroid 2019 VL5 for 2025 planetary defense test". SpaceNews. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
    Further reading
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