2015 TC25

2015 TC25
Discovery
Discovery date 12 October 2015
Orbital characteristics
Aphelion 1.1504 AU
Perihelion 0.9081 AU
1.0292 AU
Eccentricity 0.1177
381 days
214.2377°
0° 56m 38.04s / day
Inclination 3.6383°
19.6544
80.5784°
Physical characteristics
Mean radius
 6 feet (2 meters)
29.5

    2015 TC25 is a near-Earth asteroid, and at only 6 feet (2 meters) across, it is thought to be the smallest asteroid observed over multiple years. The asteroid is notable for reflecting about 60% of the light that hits it, making it one of the brightest near-earth asteroids ever seen.[1]

    Discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey on 12 October 2015, it was observed with several ground-based telescopes.[2] Radar observations were also made using the Arecibo Observatory as it passed 128,000 kilometers (79,500 miles) from the Earth.[1] Observations suggest its surface composition is similar to Aubrite meteorites, a rare class of high-albedo differentiated meteorites.[2]

    The albedo and radar polarization ratio suggest 2015 TC25 belongs to the E-type asteroids, and comparison of its spectral and dynamical properties suggest it may have broke off of the 70-kilometer diameter E-type asteroid 44 Nysa.[2] 2015 TC25 is also notable for its rather short rotation period of only about 2 minutes, which, combined with its low surface gravity makes it very difficult for 2015 TC25 to retain a regolith layer. Its surface therefore most likely resembles a bare rock.[2]

    References

    1. 1 2 Stolte, Daniel. "It's a Bird … It's a Plane … It's the Tiniest Asteroid!". UA News. University of Arizona. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
    2. 1 2 3 4 Reddy, Vishnu; Sanchez, Juan A.; Bottke, William F.; Thirouin, Audrey; Rivera-Valentin, Edgard G.; Kelley, Michael S.; Ryan, William; Cloutis, Edward A.; Tegler, Stephen C.; Ryan, Eileen V.; Taylor, Patrick A.; Richardson, James E.; Moskovitz, Nicholas; Le Corre, Lucille. "Physical Characterization of ~2-meter Diameter Near-Earth Asteroid 2015 TC25: A possible boulder from E-type Asteroid (44) Nysa". arXiv:1612.00113.


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