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2020 VT1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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2020 VT1 is a small asteroid, classified as a near-Earth object of the Amor group, that is a temporary horseshoe companion to Mars.[4]
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Discovery
2020 VT1 was discovered on 10 November 2020, by J. Bulger, K. Chambers, T. Lowe, A. Schultz, and M. Willman observing for the survey conducted by Pan-STARRS at Haleakalā Observatory, Hawaii.[1][5] As of 20 January 2021, it has been observed 28 times with an observation arc of 24 days.[2]
Orbit and orbital evolution
2020 VT1 is currently an Amor asteroid, a subgroup of the near-Earth objects that approach the orbit of Earth from beyond, but do not cross it. It orbits the Sun at a distance of 1.3–1.8 AU once every 23 months (687 days; semi-major axis of 1.52 AU). Its orbit has a moderate eccentricity of 0.17 and an inclination of 19° with respect to the ecliptic.[2] It is most notable for its horseshoe orbit, a complex co-orbital motion with Mars, as both bodies have similar semi-major axes.[4] The object can also be classified as a Mars-crosser, intersecting the orbit of the Red Planet at 1.66 AU.[2]
Animation of 2020 VT1 from 1600 to 2500
Sun · Mars · 2020 VT1
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Mars trojan
L4 (leading):
L5 (trailing):
References
External links
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