(7888) 1993 UC

(7888) 1993 UC is a near-Earth minor planet in the Apollo group.[1] It was discovered by Robert H. McNaught at the Siding Spring Observatory in Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia, on 20 October 1993.[1] The asteroid has an observation arc of 23 years and has a well determined orbit.[1] Its estimated size is 2.3 to 5.2 km.[4]

(7888) 1993 UC

Discovery[1]
Discovered by	Robert H. McNaught
Discovery date	20 October 1993
Designations
Minor planet category	Apollo NEO[1]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 13 January 2016 (JD 2457400.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc	9456 days (25.89 yr)
Aphelion	4.0540 AU (606.47 Gm) (Q)
Perihelion	0.81827 AU (122.411 Gm) (q)
Semi-major axis	2.4361 AU (364.44 Gm) (a)
Eccentricity	0.66411 (e)
Orbital period	3.80 yr (1388.8 d)
Mean anomaly	274.28° (M)
Mean motion	0° 15^m 33.156^s / day (n)
Inclination	26.082° (i)
Longitude of ascending node	165.92° (Ω)
Argument of perihelion	323.07° (ω)
Earth MOID	0.0889665 AU (13.30920 Gm)
Physical characteristics
Dimensions	~2.7 km (1.7 mi)[2]
Equatorial escape velocity	~1.3 m/s (3 mph)
Rotation period	2.340 h (0.0975 d)[1]
Spectral type	U
Apparent magnitude	14.1 (2013 peak)[3]
Absolute magnitude (H)	15.1[1]

On 20 March 2013, the asteroid passed 49 lunar distances or 0.12598 AU (18,846,000 km; 11,711,000 mi) from Earth at a relative velocity of 21.8 km/s (49,000 mph).[1] The approach posed no threat to Earth. (7888) 1993 UC is not classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) because its Earth MOID (Minimum Orbit Intersection Distance) is only 0.089 AU,[1] and only objects with an Earth MOID less than 0.05 AU are considered PHAs.[5]

It was discovered to be a binary asteroid by Arecibo Observatory in March 2013.[6]

On 29 April 2146, the asteroid will pass 0.0346 AU (5,180,000 km; 3,220,000 mi) from asteroid 4 Vesta.[1]

See also

• List of minor planets: 7001–8000

References

1. "JPL Close-Approach Data: 7888 (1993 UC)". Retrieved 11 April 2016. 2012-11-25 last obs (arc=23 years)
2. (E.A.R.N.) physical data for (7888) 1993UC
3. "1993 UC Ephemerides for 20 March 2013". NEODyS (Near Earth Objects – Dynamic Site). Retrieved 19 March 2013.
4. NASA "NEO Earth Close Approach Tables", Retrieved on 21 December 2012.
5. NASA/JPL "NEO Program FAQ", Retrieved on 21 December 2012.
6. Dr. Lance A. M. Benner (18 November 2013). "Binary and Ternary near-Earth Asteroids detected by radar". NASA/JPL Asteroid Radar Research. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

External links

• Asteroids with Satellites, Robert Johnston, johnstonsarchive.net
• (7888) 1993 UC at the JPL Small-Body Database
  • Close approach · Discovery · Ephemeris · Orbit diagram · Orbital elements · Physical parameters