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2013 GM₃ is a micro-asteroid, classified as near-Earth object of the Aten group, approximately 20 meters in diameter. It was first observed on 3 April 2013, by astronomers of the Mount Lemmon Survey conducted at the Mount Lemmon Observatory near Tucson, Arizona, United States.

The asteroid has only been observed for 12 days. Based on a crude orbit determination, it has an exceptionally low MOID and may approach Earth at one lunar distance on 14 April 2026. Alternative calculations gave a much shorter distance with a possible minimum transit at approximately 8,600 kilometers above Earth's surface.

Orbit and classification

2013 GM₃ is a member of the dynamical Aten group, which are Earth-crossing asteroids and one of the smaller subgroups of near-Earth objects.

It orbits the Sun at a distance of 0.60–1.08 AU once every 9 months (279 days; semi-major axis of 0.84 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.29 and an inclination of nearly 0° with respect to the ecliptic. The body's observation arc begins with a precovery taken by DECam at the Chilean Víctor M. Blanco Telescope on 1 April 2013, just two nights prior to its first official observation at Mount Lemmon.

Close approaches

2013 GM₃ has a poorly determined orbit with an uncertainty parameter of 7, due to its short 12-day observation arc. Based on the preliminary orbital elements, the object has an Earth minimum orbital intersection distance of 0.0000948 AU (14,200 km), which translates into 0.037 lunar distances (LD). Due to its small size, that is, an absolute magnitude fainter than 22, it is not classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid.

On 14 April 2026, the object is currently predicted to approach Earth within a nominal distance of 0.00262382 AU (393,000 km; 244,000 mi) or 1.02 LD. It will also pass the Moon at a nominal distance of 0.00036017 AU (53,900 km; 33,500 mi). Conversely, Italian astronomers Piero Sicoli and Francesco Manca at the Sormano Astronomical Observatory estimated a close approach with Earth at a nominal distance of 68,420 kilometers and a possible minimum transit at approximately 8,600 kilometers above Earth's surface for that very same date. The two astronomers acknowledge that their orbital computations still contain large uncertainties.

Physical characteristics

2013 GM₃ has not been observed by any of the space-based surveys such as the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS, the Japanese Akari satellite, and NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission. Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, 2013 GM₃ measures approximately 17 meter in diameter using an absolute magnitude of 26.3 and assuming an albedo of 0.20, which is a typical figure for the common, stony S-type asteroids. Astronomers at the Sormano Astronomical Observatory estimate a similar diameter of 25 meters.

As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of 2013 GM₃ has been obtained from photometric observations. The asteroid's rotation period, shape and spin axis remain unknown.

Numbering and naming

This minor planet has neither been numbered nor named.

References

1. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2013 GM3)" (2013-04-13 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
2. ^ "2013 GM3". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
3. ^ "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS NASA/JPL. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
4. ^ "Close encounter between Asteroid 2013 GM₃ and Earth, diagrams and orbit evolution". Sormano Astronomical Observatory. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
5. "LCDB Data for (2013 GM3)". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 25 January 2018.

External links

• Table of Asteroids Next Closest Approaches to the Earth, Sormano Astronomical Observatory
• Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB), query form (info Archived 16 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine)
• Asteroids and comets rotation curves, CdR – Observatoire de Genève, Raoul Behrend
• Forthcoming Close Approaches To The Earth – Minor Planet Center
• 2013 GM3 at NeoDyS-2, Near Earth Objects—Dynamic Site
  • Ephemerides · Observation prediction · Orbital info · MOID · Proper elements · Observational info · Close approaches · Physical info · Orbit animation
• 2013 GM3 at ESA–space situational awareness
  • Ephemerides · Observations · Orbit · Physical properties · Summary
• 2013 GM3 at the JPL Small-Body Database
  • Close approach · Discovery · Ephemeris · Orbit viewer · Orbit parameters · Physical parameters

• Aten asteroids
• Minor planet object articles (unnumbered)
• Discoveries by MLS
• Near-Earth objects in 2013
• Astronomical objects discovered in 2013