6344 P–L

6344 P-L (2007 RR9)
Orbital period 4.7 years

6344 P–L is a small Solar System body which was discovered in 1960 by asteroid searchers Tom Gehrels, Ingrid van Houten-Groeneveld, and Cornelis Johannes van Houten. Last seen in 1960, it was thought to be missing but then later rediscovered in 2007 as 2007 RR9 (also written 2007 RR9).[1] In other words, it was a lost asteroid from 1960 until it was recovered in 2007.[2] P–L stands for Palomar–Leiden, for Palomar Observatory and Leiden Observatory.[2]

It is either an asteroid and dormant comet nucleus, and it has a 4.7 year orbit around the Sun.[2] The orbit goes out as far as Jupiter's but then back in, passing as close as 0.07 AU to the Earth, making it a collision risk.[2]

6344 P–L is a potentially hazardous object and probably a dormant comet, although it was not outgassing at the time of its recovery.[2]

See also

Palomar–Leiden survey

References

  1. ^ Long-lost 'Potentially Hazardous Asteroid' re-located (Asian News International)
  2. ^ a b c d e Long-Lost, Dangerous Asteroid Is Found Again – ScienceDaily (Oct. 15, 2007)