2023 FY3 is a near-Earth object roughly 5 meters (16 ft) in diameter discovered by K. W. Wierzchos observing with the 0.68-m Schmidt + 10K CCD of the Catalina Sky Survey.[1]

Quick Facts Discovery, Discovered by ...
2023 FY3
Discovery[1]
Discovered byK. W. Wierzchos (Catalina Sky Survey)
Discovery date25 March 2023
Designations
2023 FY3
Orbital characteristics[3]
Epoch 2023-Sep-13 (JD 2460200.5)
Uncertainty parameter 3
Observation arc30 days
Aphelion1.1409631 AU (Q)
Perihelion0.9971420 AU (q)
1.0690525 AU (a)
Eccentricity0.0672657 (e)
1.1054 years
177.4436° (M)
Inclination0.593148° (i)
1.8263° (Ω)
2023-Feb-25.99916
154.4419° (ω)
Earth MOID0.00452285 AU (676,609 km; 1.76015 LD)
Jupiter MOID3.82341 AU (571,974,000 km)
Physical characteristics
Dimensions
  • ~5 m (16 ft)[2]
  • 5 meters
29.0[4]
    Close

    Details

    The object orbits the Sun but makes slow close approaches to the Earth–Moon system. Due to its Earth-like orbit, the object might be of artificial origin or lunar ejecta. However, visible spectroscopy obtained with the Gran Telescopio Canarias shows that it is an asteroid.[5] The closest approach to Earth in 2023 was 23 March 2023 at roughly 0.00369 au (343,000 mi) when it had a relative velocity of 1.46 km/s (3,300 mph).[3]

    The reflectance spectrum of 2023 FY3 suggests that its origin is not artificial and also that it is not lunar ejecta;[5] it is also different from the V type of 2020 CD3 and the K-type of 2022 NX1.[5] It is a S type asteroid and considering typical values of the albedo of the S-type asteroids and its absolute magnitude, 2023 FY3 may have a size range of 5 m.[5] Its light curve gives a rotation period of 9.3±0.6 min with an amplitude of 0.48±0.13 mag.[5] This small asteroid roams the edge of Earth's co-orbital space and it is part of the Arjuna class. Currently exhibits horseshoe-like resonant behavior and experienced minimoon engagements of the temporarily captured flyby type in the past that may repeat in the future.

    See also

    • 1991 VG  near-Earth asteroid temporarily captured by Earth after its discovery in 1991
    • 2006 RH120  the first temporary Earth satellite discovered in situ 2006
    • 2020 CD3  another temporary Earth satellite discovered in 2020
    • 2022 NX1  another temporary Earth satellite discovered in 2022
    • 2020 SO  a suspected near-Earth object identified as a rocket booster from the Surveyor 2 mission

    References

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