S/2004 (17246) 1
Abstract
P. M. Tamblyn, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and Binary Astronomy; W. J. Merline, C. R. Chapman, D. Nesvorny, and D. D. Durda, SwRI; C. Dumas, Jet Propulsion Laboratory; A. D. Storrs, Towson University; L. M. Close, University of Arizona; and F. Menard, Observatoire de Grenoble, report the discovery on Jan. 14.9 UT, on six direct images (two sets of three images taken 20 min apart in time) made with the Hubble Space Telescope (+ ACS/HRC), of a satellite of minor planet (17246) 2000 GL_74 (V about 18.5). The satellite is clearly separated from the primary in five images. On Jan. 14.9195, the satellite was at separation 0".16 (projected separation 230 km) in p.a. 280 deg. Using the average albedo of the Koronis family (about 0.21), to which (17246) belongs, the size of the primary is estimated to be 4.5 km. The brightness difference is about 2 mag, giving an estimated diameter of the secondary of about 2 km.
- Publication:
-
International Astronomical Union Circular
- Pub Date:
- February 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004IAUC.8293....3T