2012 GX₁₇

2012 GX₁₇, also written as 2012 GX17, is a minor body classified as Centaur and Trans-Neptunian object by the Minor Planet Center. [1] The object was once considered a promising Neptune L5 trojan candidate.[2]

2012 GX₁₇

Discovery
Discovered by	Pan-STARRS 1
Discovery date	14 April 2012
Designations
MPC designation	2012 GX17
Minor planet category	TNO Centaur
Orbital characteristics
Epoch 31 May 2020 (JD 2459000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 1
Observation arc	2930 days (8.02 yr)
Aphelion	57.826 AU (8.6506 Tm)
Perihelion	16.9434206 AU (2.53469964 Tm)
Semi-major axis	37.3849220 AU (5.59270473 Tm)
Eccentricity	0.5467846
Orbital period	228.59 yr (83491.6 d)
Mean anomaly	49.28874°
Mean motion	0° 0^m 15.523^s / day
Inclination	32.53975°
Longitude of ascending node	209.23931°
Argument of perihelion	243.62742°
Earth MOID	16.0869 AU (2.40657 Tm)
Jupiter MOID	12.6178 AU (1.88760 Tm)
Physical characteristics
Dimensions	60–200 km
Geometric albedo	0.5–0.05 (assumed)
Absolute magnitude (H)	7.6

Discovery

2012 GX₁₇ was discovered on 14 April 2012 by the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope, observing from Haleakala, Hawaii.[1]

Orbit

2012 GX₁₇ follows a rather eccentric orbit (0.55) with a semi-major axis of 37.4 AU.[3] This object also has high orbital inclination (32.5º).[3]

Physical properties

2012 GX₁₇ is a rather large minor body with an absolute magnitude of 7.6 which gives a characteristic diameter of 60–200 km for an assumed albedo in the range 0.5–0.05.

Former Neptune trojan candidate

Initially, 2012 GX₁₇ was considered to be a promising Neptune trojan candidate,[2] based on a very preliminary determination of 30.13 AU for its semi-major axis. However, the true value is much larger (37.4 AU) and it is now classified as a Trans-Neptunian object.

References

1. "MPC List of Centaurs". Minor Planet Center. International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
2. de la Fuente Marcos, C.; de la Fuente Marcos, R. (November 2012). "Four temporary Neptune co-orbitals: (148975) 2001 XA255, (310071) 2010 KR59, (316179) 2010 EN65, and 2012 GX17". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 547: L2. arXiv:1210.3466. Bibcode:2012A&A...547L...2D. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201220377.
3. "MPC data on 2012 GX17". Minor Planet Center. International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 22 February 2016.

External links

• Four temporary Neptune co-orbitals: (148975) 2001 XA255, (310071) 2010 KR59, (316179) 2010 EN65, and 2012 GX17 by de la Fuente Marcos, C., & de la Fuente Marcos, R. 2012, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 547, id.L2, 7 pp.
• Early discovery note
• 2012 GX₁₇ data at MPC
• IAU list of centaurs and scattered-disk objects
• IAU list of trans-neptunian objects
• Another list of TNOs
• The Long Term Dynamical Stability of the Known Neptune Trojans, Jack Lang Soutter, Master of Science thesis (not a Neptune trojan)
• 2012 GX17 at the JPL Small-Body Database
  • Close approach · Discovery · Ephemeris · Orbit diagram · Orbital elements · Physical parameters