Discovery [1] | |
---|---|
Discovered by | Grzegorz Duszanowicz |
Discovery site | Moonbase South Observatory, Hakos |
Discovery date | 21 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 arc | 22 days |
Aphelion | 0.9660 AU |
Perihelion | 0.3221 AU |
0.64407 AU | |
Eccentricity | 0.4999 |
0.5169 yr (188.80 d) | |
47.94° | |
1° 54m 24.48s / day | |
Inclination | 24.49° |
235.061° | |
11.117° | |
Earth MOID | 0.0376212 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.
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, Hakos. MPC code L87 [3]
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]
As of 2023, this minor planet has neither been numbered nor named by the Minor Planet Center.