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6Q0B44E

6Q0B44E
Animation of 6Q0B44E's calculated orbit around Earth and the Moon from 2004-09
  6Q0B44E ·   Earth ·    Moon
Discovery
Discovered by
Discovery date28 August 2006[1]
Designations
XL8D89E?
Orbital characteristics[2]
Epoch 2007 Jan 1.0 (JD 2454101.5)
Periapsis557,765 km (346,579 mi) (1.451 LD, 87.45 ER)
Apoapsis862,590 km (535,990 mi) (2.244 LD, 135.24 ER)
710,177 km (441,284 mi) (1.847 LD, 111.35 ER)
Eccentricity0.214612
68.93 days
308.134°
Inclination43.273°
130.039°
2007/01/10 22:21:48
140.596°
Satellite ofEarth
Physical characteristics
30.2

6Q0B44E, sometimes abbreviated to B44E, is a small object that was discovered orbiting Earth outside the orbit of the Moon in August 2006. It was observed until March 2007, at which point it was lost. It is likely, though unproven, that the same object was re-discovered as XL8D89E, which was observed between 2015 and 2018.

The properties of 6Q0B44E indicate it is probably an artificial item of space debris, just a few metres across. Orbit calculations show it experiences non-gravitational accelerations (such as a slow gas leak) that gradually shift its position, making it difficult to track.

Discovery

6Q0B44E was first observed by Catalina Sky Survey researchers at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory of the University of Arizona on 28 August 2006. The sighting was confirmed the next day by observations at the Siding Spring Survey and Table Mountain Observatory.[1]

Observations

6Q0B44E was spotted at what was later calculated to be the brightest part of its orbit, at 19th magnitude. As the object moved away from Earth, its brightness dropped on an approximately six-month cycle down to 28th magnitude, severely limiting study.[3]

The object was observed 56 times in the seven months after its discovery, but was lost in March 2007.[3] Another unidentified satellite of Earth, XL8D89E, was discovered in June 2016 on a similar - but not identical - orbit.[4] It is likely, though unproven, that both 6Q0B44E and XL8D89E are the same object, with the orbit shifted in the intervening decade by non-gravitational accelerations (such as slow escape of gas).[4][5] XL8D89E was observed regularly until May 2017, then again in November 2018, before being lost.[4]

Properties

The object is just a few metres across and was classified as probably artificial. 6Q0B44E (and XL8D89E) orbits Earth between 585,000 and 983,000 km, which is 2 to 3 times the distance of the Moon's orbit, over a period of 80 days.[6] Its density was estimated at around 15 kg/m3, too low for natural rock but similar to an empty fuel tank.[7]

Ephemerides calculated from the observations suggest that 6Q0B44E probably entered the Earth–Moon system between 2001 and 2003, although it may have arrived up to a decade earlier. Similarities between the discoveries of 6Q0B44E and J002E3, thought to be part of the Apollo 12 rocket, led some astronomers to speculate that 6Q0B44E may be another relic of human space exploration which has returned to Earth orbit. However, no space mission has been identified as the source of 6Q0B44E.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Williams, G. (29 August 2006). "DASO Circular No. 63". Distant Artificial-Satellites Observers’ Circulars. Harvard University.
  2. ^ Gray, Bill. "Pseudo-MPC for 6Q0B44E". Project Pluto. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  3. ^ a b Gray, Bill (3 September 2006). "Pseudo-MPEC for 6Q0B44E". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
  4. ^ a b c "Pseudo-MPEC for XL8D89E". Project Pluto. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2022. This is probably the same object as 6Q0B44E
  5. ^ Ortiz, Noelia Sánchez; Torres, Jaime Nomen; Cano, Juan L.; Micheli, Marco (2019). T. Flohrer; R. Jehn; F. Schmitz (eds.). Identification of SST community support to reduce false positives in the identification of NEO imminent impactors. 1st NEO and Debris Detection Conference. ESA Space Safety Programme Office. XL8D89E [...] has been seen multiple times since 2015, but it is likely identical to 6Q0B44E, an object in a very similar orbit seen more than a decade ago, in 2006-2007.
  6. ^ "Spacewatch". The Guardian. 6 September 2006.
  7. ^ Micheli, Marco; Tholen, David J.; Elliott, Garrett T. (2012). "Detection of radiation pressure acting on 2009 BD". New Astronomy. 17 (4): 446–452. arXiv:1106.0564. Bibcode:2012NewA...17..446M. doi:10.1016/j.newast.2011.11.008. S2CID 119185066.
  8. ^ Azriel, Merryl (25 September 2013). "Rocket or Rock? NEO confusion abounds". Space Safety Magazine. Retrieved 8 December 2013. 6Q0B44E was first thought to be a meteor when it was spotted in 2006; it's now considered artificial but its originating spacecraft is not known.
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