1998 DK₃₆

1998 DK₃₆ (also written 1998 DK36) is possibly the first Apohele asteroid (asteroid that is always closer to the Sun than Earth) detected. It was discovered by David J. Tholen, but is now considered lost.^[1] While its orbital elements have not been well established, its aphelion (farthest distance from Sun) was determined to be less than the Earth's distance to the Sun. Therefore, it has a claim to title "first Apohele detected", if not "first Apohele confirmed", which goes to (163693) Atira.

References