2023 WK3
Discovery[1]
Discovered byZwicky Transient Facility
Discovery siteMoonbase South Observatory, Hakos
Discovery date21 November 2023
(first observed only)
Designations
2023 WK3
NEO · Atira[1]
Orbital characteristics[2]
Epoch 13 September 2023 (JD 2460200.5)
Uncertainty parameter 7
Observation arc22 days
Aphelion0.9660 AU
Perihelion0.3221 AU
0.64407 AU
Eccentricity0.4999
0.5169 yr (188.80 d)
47.94°
1° 54m 24.48s / day
Inclination24.49°
235.061°
11.117°
Earth MOID0.0376212 AU
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
450–550 m (est. at 0.05–0.15)
20.5±0.4[2]

    2023 WK3 is a near-Earth object of the Atira group.

    Discovery

    2023 WK3 was discovered at G=19.5 mag on 2023 November 21 by G. Duszanowicz using the 0.28-m f/1.9 reflector + CMOs camera of the Moonbase South Observatory (observatory code M87), Hakos.[3]

    Orbit and classification

    It orbits the Sun at a distance of 0.32–0.97 AU once every 6 months (189 days; semi-major axis of 0.64 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.5 and a somewhat high inclination of 24° with respect to the ecliptic.[2] It could be a fragment or a former moon of a larger present-day Atira.[4]

    Numbering and naming

    As of 2023, this minor planet has neither been numbered nor named by the Minor Planet Center.

    References

    1. 1 2 "2023 WK3". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
    2. 1 2 3 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2023 WK3)" (2023-12-13 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
    3. "MPEC 2023-W132 : 2023 WK3". Minor Planet Electronic Circular. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
    4. de la Fuente Marcos, Carlos; de la Fuente Marcos, Raúl (20 December 2023). "Baked before Breaking into Bits: Evidence for Atira-type Asteroid Splits". Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society. 7 (12): 278 (3 pages). Bibcode:2023RNAAS...7..278D. doi:10.3847/2515-5172/ad16de.
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