2016 AZ8

2016 AZ8 is a sub-kilometer asteroid and near-Earth object of the Apollo group, at least 400 meters (1,300 feet) in diameter. [1][3] It was first observed on 3 January 2016, by the WISE telescope with precovery images found back in 2012.

2016 AZ8
Radar images of 2016 AZ8 and its satellite by the Arecibo Observatory in January 2019
Discovery [1]
Discovered byWISE
Discovery siteEarth orbit
Discovery date3 January 2016
Designations
2016 AZ8
NEO · Apollo [1][2]
PHA [1][2]
Orbital characteristics [2]
Epoch 27 April 2019 (JD 2458600.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc3.69 yr (1,347 d)
Aphelion1.7895 AU
Perihelion0.8516 AU
1.3205 AU
Eccentricity0.3551
1.52 yr (554 d)
99.623°
0° 38m 58.2s / day
Inclination5.5862°
90.016°
318.51°
Known satellites1[3]
Earth MOID0.0295 AU (11.49 LD)
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
215±52 m[2]
21.0[2]

    The potentially hazardous asteroid is a binary system with a minor-planet moon in its orbit. The discovery was made by astronomers at Arecibo Observatory on 4 January 2019, while 2016 AZ8 was passing within 4,460,000 kilometers (0.0298 AU) of the Earth.[3] The binary has a secondary-to-primary diameter ratio of at least 0.3.[3]

    Orbit and classification

    2016 AZ8 orbits the Sun at a distance of 0.85–1.8 AU once every 18 months (554 days; semi-major axis of 1.32 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.36 and an inclination of 6° with respect to the ecliptic.[2] The body's observation arc begins with a precovery taken at the Siding Spring Survey in July 2012, more than three years prior to its official discovery observation.[1]

    References
    1. "2016 AZ8". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
    2. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2016 AZ8)" (2016-03-29 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
    3. "Arecibo Radar". Twitter. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2019.


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