Broadband photometry of 2002 VE68, a quasi-moon of Venus.
Abstract
The Near-Earth Object (NEO) 2002 VE68 was discovered by the LONEOS Survey on Nov 11 2002 (MPEC 2002-V52). With a semi-major axis a=0.723 AU, 2002 VE68 is in a 1:1 mean motion resonance with Venus and can be considered a quasi-satellite of the planet. Orbital integrations by Mikkola et al. (2004) suggest that 2002 VE68 was likely an NEO injected into its current orbit by a close Earth encounter approximately 7000 years ago and will remain a Venusian quasi-satellite for another 500 years.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomer's Telegram
- Pub Date:
- December 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010ATel.3073....1H
- Keywords:
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- Optical;
- Asteroid;
- Planet (minor);
- Solar System Object