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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2018 EC4 is a small asteroid and Mars trojan orbiting near the L5 point of Mars (60 degrees behind Mars on its orbit).[2]
Discovery | |
---|---|
Discovered by | Mt. Lemmon Survey |
Discovery date | 10 March 2018 |
Designations | |
2018 EC4 | |
Martian L5 ![]() | |
Orbital characteristics[1] | |
Epoch 31 May 2020 (JD 2459000.5) | |
Uncertainty parameter 0 | |
Observation arc | 3131 days (8.57 yr) |
Aphelion | 1.61579336 AU (241.719246 Gm) |
Perihelion | 1.43135923 AU (214.128293 Gm) |
1.52357630 AU (227.923770 Gm) | |
Eccentricity | 0.06052671 |
1.88 yr (686.90193 d) | |
203.4934° | |
0° 31m 26.732s /day | |
Inclination | 21.835796° |
47.371564° | |
344.1754° | |
Earth MOID | 0.443437 AU (66.3372 Gm) |
Jupiter MOID | 3.54199 AU (529.874 Gm) |
Physical characteristics | |
Dimensions | 300 m |
0.5-0.05 (assumed) | |
20.1 | |
2018 EC4 was first observed on 10 March 2018 by the Mt. Lemmon Survey, but it had already been imaged (but not identified as an asteroid) by the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope system at Haleakala on 29 October 2011.[3] Its orbit is characterized by low eccentricity (0.061), moderate inclination (21.8°) and a semi-major axis of 1.52 AU.[3] Upon discovery, it was classified as Mars-crosser by the Minor Planet Center. Its orbit is well determined as it is currently (January 2021) based on 70 observations with a data-arc span of 3,131 days.[1] 2018 EC4 has an absolute magnitude of 20.1 which gives a characteristic diameter of 300 m.[1]
Recent calculations indicate that it is a stable L5 Mars trojan with a libration period of 1250 yr and an amplitude of 17°.[2] These values are similar to those of 5261 Eureka and related objects and it may be a member of the so-called Eureka family.[citation needed]
L4 (leading):
L5 (trailing):
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