(7888) 1993 UC is a near-Earth minor planet in the Apollo group.[1] It was discovered by Robert H. McNaught at the Siding Spring Observatory in Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia, on 20 October 1993.[1] The asteroid has an observation arc of 34 years and has a well determined orbit.[1] Its estimated size is 2.3 to 5.2 km.[4]

(7888) 1993 UC
Discovery[1]
Discovered byRobert H. McNaught
Discovery date20 October 1993
Designations
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 13 January 2016 (JD 2457400.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc9456 days (25.89 yr)
Aphelion4.0540 AU (606.47 Gm) (Q)
Perihelion0.81827 AU (122.411 Gm) (q)
2.4361 AU (364.44 Gm) (a)
Eccentricity0.66411 (e)
3.80 yr (1388.8 d)
274.28°
0° 15m 33.156s / day
Inclination26.082°
165.92°
323.07°
Earth MOID0.0889665 AU (13.30920 Gm)
Physical characteristics
~2.7 km (1.7 mi)[2]
Equatorial escape velocity
~1.3 m/s (3 mph)
2.340 h (0.0975 d)[1]
U
14.1 (2013 peak)[3]
15.1[1]

On 20 March 2013, the asteroid passed 49 lunar distances or 0.12598 AU (18,846,000 km; 11,711,000 mi) from Earth at a relative velocity of 21.8 km/s (49,000 mph).[1] The approach posed no threat to Earth. (7888) 1993 UC is not classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) because its Earth MOID (Minimum Orbit Intersection Distance) is only 0.084 AU,[1] and only objects with an Earth MOID less than 0.05 AU are considered PHAs.[5]

It was discovered to be a binary asteroid by Arecibo Observatory in March 2013.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "JPL Close-Approach Data: 7888 (1993 UC)". Retrieved 11 April 2016. 2012-11-25 last obs (arc=23 years)
  2. ^ (E.A.R.N.) physical data for (7888) 1993UC
  3. ^ "1993 UC Ephemerides for 20 March 2013". NEODyS (Near Earth Objects – Dynamic Site). Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  4. ^ NASA "NEO Earth Close Approach Tables", Retrieved on 21 December 2012.
  5. ^ NASA/JPL "NEO Program FAQ", Retrieved on 21 December 2012.
  6. ^ Dr. Lance A. M. Benner (18 November 2013). "Binary and Ternary near-Earth Asteroids detected by radar". NASA/JPL Asteroid Radar Research. Archived from the original on 8 June 2004. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
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