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2016 CP31
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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2016 CP31 is a small asteroid and Mars trojan orbiting near the L5 point of Mars (60 degrees behind Mars on its orbit).[2][3][4]
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Discovery, orbit and physical properties
2016 CP31 was first observed on 7 February 2016 by the Catalina Sky Survey; the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope system at Haleakala had imaged this object on 14 January 2016 without identifying it as an asteroid.[5] Its orbit is characterized by low eccentricity (0.059), moderate inclination (23.1°) and a semi-major axis of 1.52 AU.[5] Upon discovery, it was classified as Mars-crosser by the Minor Planet Center. Its orbit is well determined as it is currently (January 2021) based on 131 observations with a data-arc span of 1652 days.[1] 2016 CP31 has an absolute magnitude of 19.5 which gives a characteristic diameter of 400 m.[1]
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Mars trojan and orbital evolution
Recent calculations indicate that it is a stable L5 Mars trojan.[2] It may not be a member of the so-called Eureka family.[citation needed]
Mars trojan
L4 (leading):
L5 (trailing):
See also
References
Further reading
External links
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