(323137) 2003 BM80

(323137) 2003 BM80, provisional designation: 2003 BM80 and cometary designation 282P/2003 BM80, is an asteroid and main-belt comet from the outer regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 9.4 kilometers (5.8 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 31 January 2003, by astronomers of the LONEOS program conducted at Anderson Mesa Station near Flagstaff, Arizona, in the United States.[2]

(323137) 2003 BM80
282P/2003 BM80
DECam image, showing the comet activity in March 2021
Discovery[1]
Discovered byLONEOS
Discovery siteAnderson Mesa Stn.
Discovery date31 January 2003
Designations
(323137) 2003 BM80
2003 BM80 · 2003 FV112
282P/2003 BM80
main-belt[2] · (outer)[1]
main-belt comet[3]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 1 July 2021 (JD 2459396.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc19.44 yr (7,101 d)
Aphelion5.04 AU
Perihelion3.44 AU
4.24 AU
Eccentricity0.189
8.73 yr (3,190 d)
347°
0° 6m 46.8s / day
Inclination5.81°
9.3°
218°
Jupiter MOID0.176 AU
TJupiter2.991
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
9.4 km (est. at 0.07)[4]
13.63[1]

    Orbit and classification

    2003 BM80 is a main-belt comet with a Jupiter Tisserand's parameter of 2.99.[1][3] It orbits the Sun in the outer asteroid belt at a distance of 3.4–5.1 AU once every 8 years and 9 months (3,199 days; semi-major axis of 4.25 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.19 and an inclination of 6° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

    The body's observation arc begins with its first precovery observation by the NEAT program in December 2001, more than a year prior to its official discovery observation at Anderson Mesa.[2]

    In 2022 a team from Northern Arizona University determined that 2003 BM80 is a Quasi-Hilda Object with a sustained activity outburst, lasting over 15 months. Their dynamical simulations showed that this object has undergone at least five close encounters with Jupiter and one with Saturn over the last 180 years. It was likely a Centaur or Jupiter family comet 250 years ago. In the future this object will have about 15 strong interactions with Jupiter and 380 years in the future it might become again a Jupiter family comet. But it could also become a main-belt asteroid.[5]

    Numbering and naming

    This minor planet was numbered by the Minor Planet Center on 6 April 2012.[6] As of 2021, it has not been named.[2]

    Physical characteristics

    Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, 2003 BM80 measures approximately 4.4 kilometers in diameter using an absolute magnitude of 15.3 and an estimated albedo 0.07, typical for rather dark cometary-like bodies.[4]

    As of 2021, no rotational lightcurve of 2003 BM80 has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, shape and spin axis remain unknown.[1]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (323137) 2003 BM80" (2021-06-27 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
    2. "(323137) 2003 BM80". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
    3. Jonathan Shanklin. "(323137) = 2003 BM80 = 2003 FV112". University of Cambridge – Institute of Astronomy. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
    4. "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS NASA/JPL. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
    5. Chandler, Colin Orion; Oldroyd, William J.; Trujillo, Chadwick A. (1 August 2022). "Migratory Outbursting Quasi-Hilda Object 282P/(323137) 2003 BM80". arXiv:2208.08592 [astro-ph.EP].
    6. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
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