3200 Phaethon
Radar image of 3200 Phaethon taken by Arecibo, December 17, 2017
Discovery
Discovered by
Discovery dateOctober 11, 1983
Designations
(3200) Phaethon
Pronunciation/ˈfeɪ.əθɒn/
Named after
Phaëthon
1983 TB
AdjectivesPhaethonian /feɪəˈθoʊniən/[2]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch April 27, 2019 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc12,941 days (35.43 yr)
Aphelion2.4028 AU (359 million km)
Perihelion0.13998 AU (20.9 million km)
1.2714 AU (190 million km)
Eccentricity0.88990
523.6 days (1.434 yr)
19.9 km/s (45,000 mph)
313.94°
0° 41m 15.108s / day
Inclination22.260°
265.22°
May 15, 2022[3]
322.19°
Earth MOID0.01955 AU (2.92 million km)
Venus MOID 0.0469 AU (7.02 million km)[4]
Jupiter MOID2.7375 AU (410 million km)
TJupiter4.510
Physical characteristics
Dimensions6.13±0.05 × 4.40±0.06 km[5]
Mean diameter
5.8 km (3.6 mi)[6]
3.604 hours (0.1502 d)[1]
0.1066±0.011[1]
F-type asteroid[1][7]
10.7 (December 14, 2017)
14.6[1]

    3200 Phaethon (/ˈfeɪ.əˌθɒn/; previously sometimes spelled Phaeton), provisionally designated 1983 TB, is an active[8] Apollo asteroid with an orbit that brings it closer to the Sun than any other named asteroid (though there are numerous unnamed asteroids with smaller perihelia, such as (137924) 2000 BD19).[9] For this reason, it was named after the Greek myth of Phaëthon, son of the sun god Helios. It is 5.8 km (3.6 mi) in diameter[6] and is the parent body of the Geminids meteor shower of mid-December. With an observation arc of 35+ years, it has a very well determined orbit.[1] The 2017 Earth approach distance of about 10 million km was known with an accuracy of ±700 m.[1]

    Discovery

    Phaethon was the first asteroid to be discovered using images from a spacecraft. Simon F. Green and John K. Davies discovered it in images from October 11, 1983, while searching Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) data for moving objects. It was formally announced on October 14 in IAUC 3878 along with optical confirmation by Charles T. Kowal, who reported it to be asteroidal in appearance. Its provisional designation was 1983 TB, and it later received the numerical designation and name 3200 Phaethon in 1985.

    Orbital characteristics

    Animation of 3200 Phaethon's orbit
       Sun ·    Mercury ·    Venus ·    Earth ·    Mars ·   3200 Phaethon

    Phaethon is categorized as an Apollo asteroid, as its orbital semi-major axis is greater than that of the Earth's at 1.27 AU (190 million km; 118 million mi). It is also suspected to be a member of the Pallas family of asteroids.[10]

    Its most remarkable distinction is that it approaches the Sun closer than any other named asteroid: its perihelion is only 0.14 AU (20.9 million km; 13.0 million mi) — less than half of Mercury's perihelial distance. It is a Mercury-, Venus-, Earth-, and Mars-crosser as a result of its high orbital eccentricity. The surface temperature at perihelion could reach around 1,025 K (750 °C; 1,390 °F).

    Phaethon is a possible candidate for detecting general relativistic and/or solar oblateness effects in its orbital motion due to the frequent close approaches to the Sun.[11] The Apollo asteroids (155140) 2005 UD and (225416) 1999 YC share similar orbits with Phaethon, suggesting a possible common breakup origin.[12][13]

    Potentially hazardous asteroid

    Phaethon is categorized as a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA),[1][14] but that does not mean there is a near-term threat of an impact. It is a potentially hazardous asteroid merely as a result of its size (absolute magnitude H ≤ 22) and Earth minimum orbit intersection distance (Earth MOID ≤ 0.05 AU).[15] The Earth minimum orbit intersection distance (E-MOID) is 0.01945 AU (2,910,000 km; 1,808,000 mi), which is defined by the shortest distance between the orbit of Phaethon and the orbit of Earth.[1] With a 30+ year observation arc, the orbit of Phaethon is very well understood with very small uncertainties.[1] Close approaches of Phaethon are well constrained for the next 400 years.[11]

    Chronology of close approaches of large near-Earth objects since 1981 (A)
    PHA Date Approach distance in lunar distances Abs. mag
    (H)    		 Diameter (C)
    (m)    		 Ref (D)
    Nominal (B) Minimum Maximum
    (143651) 2003 QO1041981-05-182.7612.7602.76116.01333–4306data
    2014 LJ211989-08-017.0346.8437.22416.01333–4306data
    4179 Toutatis1992-12-089.3999.3999.39915.302440–2450data
    4179 Toutatis2004-09-294.0314.0314.03115.302440–2450data
    (159857) 2004 LJ12038-11-167.7197.7197.71915.41746–4394data
    (4953) 1990 MU2058-06-058.9868.9848.98814.13199–10329data
    4179 Toutatis2069-11-057.7257.7247.72515.302440–2450data
    (52768) 1998 OR22079-04-164.6114.6114.61215.81462–4721data
    (415029) 2011 UL212089-06-256.9366.9356.93815.71531–4944data
    3200 Phaethon2093-12-147.7147.7097.71814.64900–5300data
    (52768) 1998 OR22127-04-166.5366.5106.56315.81462–4721data
    (A) This list includes near-Earth approaches of less than 10 lunar distances (LD) of objects with H brighter than 16.
    (B) Nominal geocentric distance from the center of Earth to the center of the object (Earth has a radius of approximately 6,400 km).
    (C) Diameter: estimated, theoretical mean-diameter based on H and albedo range between X and Y.
    (D) Reference: data source from the JPL SBDB, with AU converted into LD (1 AU≈390 LD)
    (E) Color codes:   unobserved at close approach   observed during close approach   upcoming approaches

    Physical characteristics

    Phaethon's dust ejection is likely caused by a mechanism similar to how mud in a dry lake bottom cracks from heat

    Phaethon is an asteroid with fairly unusual characteristics in that its orbit more closely resembles that of a comet than an asteroid; it has been referred to as a "rock comet".[16] In studies performed by NASA's STEREO spacecraft in 2009 and 2012, rapid brightening and dust tail have been observed.[17][18][19] It is possible that the Sun's heat is causing fractures similar to mudcracks in a dry lake bed.[20] This occurs because Phaethon's orbit takes it closer to the Sun than any other named asteroid (0.14 AU at perihelion) causing extreme heating and enough solar radiation pressure to push any separated pieces off the asteroid's surface. Since its discovery, several other objects were found exhibiting mixed cometary and asteroidal features, such as 133P/Elst–Pizarro, leading to a new class of objects dubbed "active asteroids".[8]

    In 2018, observations revealed that Phaethon was blue in color. This is extremely rare, as most asteroids tend to be grey or red.[21][22] In 2020, polarimetric study revealed Phaethon has a surface with steep slopes covered by a mix of regolith with larger pebbles.[23] Phaethon's composition fits the notion of its cometary origin; it is classified as a F-type asteroid because it is composed of dark material[1][7] or a B-type asteroid because of its blue color.[24] In 2022 it was shown [25][26] how Phaethon's blue color and its rock-comet-like emission activity can be explained by the effects of the intense solar heating at perihelion causing sublimation of any darkish-red refractory organic, nano-phase iron (nFe0), and pyroxene materials on its surface.

    Analysis of a mid-infrared spectral emissivity spectrum from the Spitzer Space Telescope showed Phaethon to be linked to the rare Yamato-type (CY) carbonaceous chondrites.[27] Further analysis of this spectrum confirmed the presence of Mg-rich olivine, carbonates, and Fe-sulfides. These minerals decompose at the temperatures that Phaethon reaches at perihelion, resulting in outgassing, in a process called thermal decomposition. It is believed that this process leads to dust ejection and can explain the formation of the Geminid meteor stream.

    Meteor shower

    Shortly after its discovery, Fred Whipple observed that the "orbital elements of 1983 TB shown on IAUC 3879 are virtually coincident with the mean orbital elements of 19 Geminid meteors photographed with the super-Schmidt meteor cameras".[28] In other words, Phaethon is the long-sought parent body of the Geminids meteor shower of mid-December.

    Planned flyby

    DESTINY+ (Demonstration and Experiment of Space Technology for INterplanetary voYage Phaethon fLyby dUSt science) is a planned mission to fly by 3200 Phaethon, as well as various minor bodies originating from it. The spacecraft is being developed by the Japanese space agency JAXA, and will demonstrate advanced technologies for future deep space exploration. DESTINY+ is planned to be launched no earlier than 2024.[29]

    Close approaches

    Phaethon approached to 0.120895 AU (18,085,600 km; 11,237,900 mi) of Earth on December 10, 2007,[1] and was detected by radar at Arecibo.[11] When Phaethon came to perihelion in July 2009, it was found to be brighter than expected.[30][31] During its approach, the STEREO-A spacecraft detected an unexpected brightening, roughly by a factor of two.[16]

    2010 approach

    Phaethon imaged on December 25, 2010, with the 37-cm f/14 Rigel telescope at Winer Observatory by Marco Langbroek

    2017 approach

    On December 16, 2017, at 23:00 UT, Phaethon passed 0.06893169 AU (10,312,034 km; 6,407,601 mi) from Earth (27 lunar distances).[1] The Earth approach distance was known with a 3-sigma precision of ±700 m.[1][lower-alpha 1] This was the best opportunity to date for radar observations by Goldstone and Arecibo, with a resolution of 75 meters/pixel (246 feet/pixel).[11]

    The asteroid was bright enough to see in small telescopes, peaking at magnitude 10.8 between December 13–15 while dimming slightly to magnitude 11 on December 16 at closest approach.[32] Arecibo made observations of Phaethon from December 15–19.[6] It will not make an Earth approach closer than the 2017 passage until December 14, 2093, when it will pass 0.01981 AU (2,964,000 km; 1,841,000 mi) from Earth.[1][33]

    Path of 3200 Phaethon in the sky during December 2017
    Time lapse taken through a telescope in Riga, Latvia (December 10, 2017)
    Phaethon at maximum angular velocity, December 15, 2017, 18:47:13–19:24:50 UTC

    Notes

    1. ↑ In 2014, JPL 374 (solution date 2014-Sep-12) showed a 2017 Earth approach distance with a precision of ±80 km. Math: (MAX−MIN) * AU / 2

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "JPL Small-Body Database: 3200 Phaethon (1983 TB)". JPL Small-Body Database. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Archived from the original on June 5, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
    2. ↑ "phaeton". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
    3. ↑ JPL Horizons Observer Location: @sun (Perihelion occurs when deldot changes from negative to positive.)
    4. ↑ "(3200) Phaethon Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
    5. ↑ "(3200) Phaethon 2021 Oct 3". Hayamizu Astro Laboratory. October 3, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
    6. 1 2 3 Agle, D. C.; Brown, Dwayne; Farukhi, Suraiya (December 22, 2017). "Arecibo Radar Returns with Asteroid Phaethon Images". NASA. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
    7. 1 2 Kartashova, A.; Husarik, M.; Ivanova, O.; Kokhirova, G.; Bakanas, E.; Sokolov, I.; Khamroev, U. Kh.; Ibragimov, A. A. (June 5, 2019), "Photometric observations of the asteroid 3200 Phaethon using small and middle telescopes", Contributions of the Astronomical Observatory Skalnate Pleso, 49 (2): 367, arXiv:1906.01064, Bibcode:2019CoSka..49..367K
    8. 1 2 Jewitt, David; Hsieh, Henry; Agarwal, Jessica (2015). "The Active Asteroids". In Michel, P.; et al. (eds.). Asteroids IV (PDF). University of Arizona. pp. 221–241. arXiv:1502.02361. Bibcode:2015aste.book..221J. doi:10.2458/azu_uapress_9780816532131-ch012. ISBN 9780816532131. S2CID 119209764. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
    9. ↑ "JPL Small-Body Database Search Engine — Constraints: asteroids and q < 0.141 (au)". JPL Small-Body Database. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved September 5, 2011. Take notice of the orbit condition number (the lower the number, the lower the orbit's uncertainty).
    10. ↑ Jaggard, Victoria (October 12, 2010). "Exploding Clays Drive Geminids Sky Show?". National Geographic. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
    11. 1 2 3 4 Benner, Lance A. M. (2017). "Goldstone Radar Observations Planning: Asteroid 3200 Phaethon". NASA/JPL Asteroid Radar Research. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
    12. ↑ Devogèle, Maxime; MacLennan, Eric; Gustafsson, Annika; Moskovitz, Nicholas; Chatelain, Joey; Borisov, Galin; et al. (June 2020). "New Evidence for a Physical Link between Asteroids (155140) 2005 UD and (3200) Phaethon". The Planetary Science Journal. 1 (1): 15. Bibcode:2020PSJ.....1...15D. doi:10.3847/PSJ/ab8e45. 15.
    13. ↑ Cukier, W. Z.; Szalay, J. R. (June 1, 2023). "Formation, Structure, and Detectability of the Geminids Meteoroid Stream". The Planetary Science Journal. 4 (6): 109. arXiv:2306.11151. Bibcode:2023PSJ.....4..109C. doi:10.3847/psj/acd538. ISSN 2632-3338.
    14. ↑ Phillips, Tony (December 3, 2007). "Asteroid Shower". Science@NASA. NASA. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
    15. ↑ "NEO Groups". Near Earth Object Program. NASA. Archived from the original on November 2, 2016.
    16. 1 2 Jewitt, David; Li, Jing (2010). "Activity in Geminid Parent (3200) Phaethon". The Astronomical Journal. 140 (5): 1519. arXiv:1009.2710. Bibcode:2010AJ....140.1519J. doi:10.1088/0004-6256/140/5/1519. S2CID 6446528.
    17. ↑ Jewitt, David; Li, Jing; Agarwal, Jessica (2013). "The Dust Tail of Asteroid (3200) Phaethon". The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 771 (2). L36. arXiv:1306.3741. Bibcode:2013ApJ...771L..36J. doi:10.1088/2041-8205/771/2/L36. S2CID 37387069.
    18. ↑ Li, Jing; Jewitt, David (2013). "Recurrent Perihelion Activity in (3200) Phaethon". Astronomical Journal. 145 (6): 154. arXiv:1304.1430. Bibcode:2013AJ....145..154L. doi:10.1088/0004-6256/145/6/154. S2CID 6242944. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
    19. ↑ Jewitt, David; Li, Jing (2010). "Activity in Geminid Parent (3200) Phaethon". Astronomical Journal. 140 (5): 1519–1527. arXiv:1009.2710. Bibcode:2010AJ....140.1519J. doi:10.1088/0004-6256/140/5/1519. S2CID 6446528. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
    20. ↑ Sutherland, Paul (September 10, 2013). "Why an asteroid is crumbling into meteor dust". Skymania.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
    21. ↑ Eleanor Imster (November 1, 2018). "Rare blue asteroid sometimes behaves like a comet". EarthSky. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
    22. ↑ Eric Mack (October 23, 2018). "A look at 3200 Phaethon: A big, bizarre, blue asteroid we plan to visit". CNET. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
    23. ↑ Golubeva, L. F.; Shestopalov, D. I.; Kvaratskhelia, O. I. (2020). "Polarimetric properties of asteroid 3200 Phaethon". arXiv:2001.00789 [astro-ph.EP].
    24. ↑ Clark, Beth; Ziffer, Julie; Nesvorny, David (2010). "Spectroscopy of B-type asteroids: Subgroups and meteorite analogs". Journal of Geophysical Research. 115 (E6): E06005. Bibcode:2010JGRE..115.6005C. doi:10.1029/2009JE003478. S2CID 130052649.
    25. ↑ Lisse, Carey; Steckloff, Jordan (2022). "Thermal alteration and differential sublimation can create Phaethon's "rock comet" activity and blue color". Icarus. 381: 114995. arXiv:2203.09876. Bibcode:2022Icar..38114995L. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2022.114995. S2CID 247594726.
    26. ↑ How the bluest asteroid in the solar system got its color Tereza Pultarova, Space.com. June 16th, 2022
    27. ↑ MacLennan, Eric; Granvik, Mikael (November 2, 2023). "Thermal decomposition as the activity driver of near-Earth asteroid (3200) Phaethon". Nature Astronomy. arXiv:2207.08968. doi:10.1038/s41550-023-02091-w.
    28. ↑ Whipple, F. L. (October 25, 1983). Marsden, B. G. (ed.). "1983 TB and the Geminid Meteors". IAU Circular. 3881. 1. Bibcode:1983IAUC.3881....1W.
    29. ↑ Kuninaka, Hitoshi (May 19, 2020). "宇宙科学ミッション打上げ計画について" (PDF) (in Japanese). JAXA. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
    30. ↑ Shanklin, Jonathan (2009). "Comet Section: 2009 News". British Astronomical Association. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
    31. ↑ Battams, K.; Watson, A. (June 2009). "(3200) Phaethon". IAU Circular. 9054. 3. Bibcode:2009IAUC.9054....3B.
    32. ↑ "(3200) Phaethon: Ephemerides for December 2017". NEODyS-2. University of Pisa Department of Mathematics. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
    33. ↑ "(3200) Phaethon: Close Approaches". NEODyS-2. University of Pisa Department of Mathematics. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
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