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] Although 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 (0.980 ± 0.05 AU).[2] Therefore, it has a claim to title "first Apohele detected", if not "first Apohele confirmed", which goes to 163693 Atira. With an absolute magnitude (H) of 25,[2] 1998 DK36 is estimated to be only 25–60 meters in diameter.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Tholen, D.J.; R.J. Whiteley. "Update On Small Solar Elongation NEO Search". Science presentations announced for the Comm 20 sessions at GA24. Archived from the original on 25 February 2006. Retrieved 2006-04-01.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (1998 DK36)" (1998-02-24 last obs (arc=1 day)). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2013-03-14.
  3. ↑ "Absolute Magnitude (H)". NASA/JPL.