Asteroids with satellites
Asteroids with Satellites
by Wm. Robert Johnston
last updated 29 November 2008
Contents:
List of confirmed and suspected binary asteroids/TNOs
--with links to separate pages of data and links on specific binary asteroids/TNOs
Tables of data on binary asteroids and other reports of asteroid/TNO companions (separate pages)
General discussion
Images and figures regarding binary asteroids/TNOs (separate pages) Binary asteroids/TNOs--lists, databases, articles, links--including link to separate page listing abstracts at ADS
List of confirmed and suspected binary asteroids/TNOs--by class or by designation, with orbital class of object in parenthesis
(Follow links to pages with data and links on specific objects, including links to abstracts at ADS):
by dynamical class:
near Earth objects:
(1862) Apollo (Apollo) (1866) Sisyphus (Apollo)
(3671) Dionysus and S/1997 (3671) 1 (Amor)
(5381) Sekhmet (Aten)
(7088) Ishtar (Amor)
(31345) 1998 PG (Amor)
(35107) 1991 VH and S/2008 (35107) 1 (Apollo)
(65803) Didymos (Amor)
(66063) 1998 RO1 (Aten)
(66391) 1999 KW4 (Aten)
(69230) Hermes (Apollo)
(85938) 1999 DJ4 (Apollo)
(88710) 2001 SL9 (Apollo)
(137170) 1999 HF1 (Aten) (153591) 2001 SN263 (Amor)
(162000) 1990 OS (Apollo) (162483) 2000 PJ5 (Aten)
(164121) 2003 YT1 (Apollo)
(175706) 1996 FG3 (Apollo)
(185851) 2000 DP107 and S/2000 (2000 DP107) 1 (Apollo)
1994 AW1 (Amor)
1994 XD (Apollo)
1998 ST27 (Aten)
2000 UG11 (Apollo)
2002 BM26 (Amor)
2002 CE26 (Apollo)
2002 KK8 (Amor)
2003 SS84 (Apollo)
2004 DC (Apollo) 2005 AB (Amor) 2005 NB7 (Apollo)
2006 GY2 (Apollo) 2006 VV2 (Apollo) 2007 DT103 (Apollo) 2008 BT18 (Apollo)
Mars crossers:
(1139) Atami
(2044) Wirt
(5407) 1992 AX (16635) 1993 QO (32039) 2000 JO23
(34706) 2001 OP83
(114319) 2002 XD58
main belt members:
(22) Kalliope and Linus (41) Daphne and S/2008 (41) 1
(45) Eugenia, Petit-Prince, and S/2004 (45) 1
(87) Sylvia, Romulus, and Remus
(90) Antiope and S/2000 (90) 1
(107) Camilla and S/2001 (107) 1
(121) Hermione and S/2002 (121) 1
(130) Elektra and S/2003 (130) 1 (216) Kleopatra, S/2008 (216) 1, and S/2008 (216) 2
(243) Ida and Dactyl
(283) Emma and S/2003 (283) 1
(379) Huenna and S/2003 (379) 1
(702) Alauda and S/2007 (702) 1 (762) Pulcova
(809) Lundia
(854) Frostia (939) Isberga
(1089) Tama
(1313) Berna (1333) Cevenola
(1338) Duponta (1453) Fennia (1509) Esclangona and S/2003 (1509) 1
(1717) Arlon (1830) Pogson
(2006) Polonskaya
(2478) Tokai (2486) Metsahovi (2754) Efimov (3073) Kursk (3169) Ostro (3309) Brorfelde (3673) Levy (3703) Volkonskaya
(3749) Balam and S/2002 (3749) 1
(3782) Celle
(3982) Kastel
(4029) Bridges
(4492) Debussy
(4674) Pauling and S/2004 (4674) 1
(4786) Tatianina
(4951) Iwamoto (5477) 1989 UH2 (5481) Kiuchi
(5905) Johnson
(6084) Bascom
(6244) Okamoto (6265) 1985 TW3 (6615) Plutarchos (7225) Huntress (8116) Jeanperrin (9069) Hovland
(9260) Edwardolson
(9617) Grahamchapman (10208) 1997 QN1
(11264) Claudiomaccone
(15268) 1990 WF3 (17246) 2000 GL74 and S/2004 (17246) 1
(17260) 2000 JQ58
(22899) 1999 TO14 and S/2003 (22899) 1 (32008) 2000 HM53
(76818) 2000 RG79
Jupiter Trojans:
(617) Patroclus and Menoetius (624) Hektor and S/2006 (624) 1
trans-Neptunian objects:
(134340) Pluto, Charon, Nix, and Hydra (Plutino, dwarf planet)
(26308) 1998 SM165 and S/2001 (26308) 1 (2:1 resonance)
(42355) Typhon and Echidna (Centaur-like)
(47171) 1999 TC36 and S/2001 (47171) 1 (Plutino)
(48639) 1995 TL8 (SDO, extended)
(50000) Quaoar (classical, "hot") (55637) 2002 UX25 (SDO) (58534) Logos and Zoe (Cubewano)
(60458) 2000 CM114 (SDO)
(60621) 2000 FE8 (5:2 resonance)
(65489) Ceto and Phorcys (Centaur-like) (66652) Borasisi (Cubewano)
(79360) 1997 CS29 (Cubewano)
(80806) 2000 CM105 (Cubewano)
(82075) 2000 YW134 (8:3 resonance)
(88611) Teharonhiawako and Sawiskera (Cubewano)
(90482) Orcus (Plutino) (119067) 2001 KP76 (4:7 resonance) (119979) 2002 WC19 (2:1 resonance) (120347) 2004 SB60 (SDO) (123509) 2000 WK183 (Cubewano) (134860) 2000 OJ67 (Cubewano)
(136108) Haumea, Hi'iaka, and Namaka (SDO)
(136199) Eris and Dysnomia (SDO, dwarf planet)
(139775) 2001 QG298 (Plutino)
(148780) Altjira (Cubewano) (160091) 2000 OL67 (Cubewano) (160256) 2002 PD149 (Cubewano) (182933) 2002 GZ31 (SDO, extended)
1998 WV24 (Plutino)
1998 WW31 and S/2000 (1998 WW31) 1 (Cubewano)
1999 OJ4 (Cubewano)
1999 RT214 (Cubewano) 2000 CF105 (Cubewano)
2000 CQ114 (Cubewano)
2000 QL251 (2:1 resonance) 2001 FL185 (Cubewano) 2001 QC298 (SDO)
2001 QQ322 (Cubewano) 2001 QW322 (Cubewano)
2001 QY297 (Cubewano) 2001 RZ143 (Cubewano) 2001 XR254 (Cubewano) 2003 AZ84 (Plutino) 2003 QA91 (Cubewano) 2003 QR91 (classical, "hot") 2003 QW111 (7:4 resonance) 2003 QY90 (Cubewano)
2003 TJ58 (Cubewano) 2003 UN284 (Cubewano) 2003 WU188 (Cubewano) 2004 PB108 (SDO)
2005 EO304 (Cubewano) 2005 PR21 (Cubewano) 2006 SF369 (SDO)
2007 TY430 (Plutino)
by designation:
(134340) Pluto, Charon, Nix, and Hydra
(22) Kalliope and Linus
(41) Daphne and S/2008 (41) 1
(45) Eugenia, Petit-Prince, and S/2004 (45) 1
(87) Sylvia, Romulus, and Remus
(90) Antiope and S/2000 (90) 1
(107) Camilla and S/2001 (107) 1
(121) Hermione and S/2002 (121) 1
(130) Elektra and S/2003 (130) 1
(216) Kleopatra, S/2008 (216) 1, and S/2008 (216) 2
(243) Ida and Dactyl
(283) Emma and S/2003 (283) 1
(379) Huenna and S/2003 (379) 1
(617) Patroclus and Menoetius
(624) Hektor and S/2006 (624) 1
(702) Alauda and S/2007 (702) 1 (762) Pulcova
(809) Lundia
(854) Frostia
(939) Isberga
(1089) Tama
(1139) Atami
(1313) Berna
(1333) Cevenola
(1338) Duponta (1453) Fennia (1509) Esclangona and S/2003 (1509) 1
(1717) Arlon (1830) Pogson
(1862) Apollo
(1866) Sisyphus
(2006) Polonskaya
(2044) Wirt
(2478) Tokai (2486) Metsahovi (2754) Efimov (3073) Kursk (3169) Ostro (3309) Brorfelde
(3671) Dionysus and S/1997 (3671) 1
(3673) Levy (3703) Volkonskaya
(3749) Balam and S/2002 (3749) 1
(3782) Celle
(3982) Kastel
(4029) Bridges
(4492) Debussy
(4674) Pauling and S/2004 (4674) 1
(4786) Tatianina
(4951) Iwamoto (5381) Sekhmet
(5407) 1992 AX
(5477) 1989 UH2
(5481) Kiuchi
(5905) Johnson
(6084) Bascom
(6244) Okamoto (6265) 1985 TW3 (6615) Plutarchos (7088) Ishtar
(7225) Huntress (8116) Jeanperrin (9069) Hovland
(9260) Edwardolson
(9617) Grahamchapman
(10208) 1997 QN1
(11264) Claudiomaccone
(15268) 1990 WF3 (16635) 1993 QO
(17246) 2000 GL74 and S/2004 (17246) 1
(17260) 2000 JQ58
(22899) 1999 TO14 and S/2003 (22899) 1
(26308) 1998 SM165 and S/2001 (26308) 1
(31345) 1998 PG
(32008) 2000 HM53
(32039) 2000 JO23
(34706) 2001 OP83
(35107) 1991 VH and S/2008 (35107) 1
(42355) Typhon and Echidna
(47171) 1999 TC36 and S/2001 (47171) 1
(48639) 1995 TL8
(50000) Quaoar (55637) 2002 UX25 (58534) Logos and Zoe
(60458) 2000 CM114 (60621) 2000 FE8
(65489) Ceto and Phorcys (65803) Didymos
(66063) 1998 RO1
(66391) 1999 KW4
(66652) Borasisi
(69230) Hermes
(76818) 2000 RG79
(79360) 1997 CS29
(80806) 2000 CM105
(82075) 2000 YW134
(85938) 1999 DJ4
(88611) Teharonhiawako and Sawiskera
(88710) 2001 SL9
(90482) Orcus (114319) 2002 XD58
(119067) 2001 KP76 (119979) 2002 WC19 (120347) 2004 SB60 (123509) 2000 WK183 (134860) 2000 OJ67
(136108) Haumea, Hi'iaka, and Namaka
(136199) Eris and Dysnomia
(137170) 1999 HF1
(139775) 2001 QG298
(148780) Altjira (153591) 2001 SN263
(160091) 2000 OL67 (160256) 2002 PD149 (162000) 1990 OS
(162483) 2000 PJ5 (164121) 2003 YT1
(175706) 1996 FG3
(182933) 2002 GZ31 (185851) 2000 DP107 and S/2000 (2000 DP107) 1
1994 AW1
1994 XD
1998 ST27 1998 WV24
1998 WW31 and S/2000 (1998 WW31) 1
1999 OJ4
1999 RT214 2000 CF105
2000 CQ114
2000 QL251 2000 UG11
2001 FL185 2001 QC298 2001 QQ322
2001 QW322
2001 QY297 2001 RZ143 2001 XR254 2002 BM26
2002 CE26 2002 KK8
2003 AZ84 2003 QA91 2003 QR91 2003 QW111 2003 QY90
2003 SS84
2003 TJ58 2003 UN284
2003 WU188 2004 DC 2004 PB108
2005 AB
2005 EO304
2005 NB7 2005 PR21 2006 GY2 2006 SF369 2006 VV2 2007 DT103 2007 TY430 2008 BT18
Link to list by date of announcement of detection
Data sources for individual object pages
(Orbital elements for asteroids from JPL Small-Body Database supplemented by the Minor Planet Center. Links to abstracts generated from NASA's ADS Project at Harvard-CfA/SAO.)
Asteroids/TNOs with satellites: summary data table
Other reports of asteroid/TNO companions
Combined chronological listing of reported asteroid/TNO companions
Doublet craters in the inner solar system
Discussion:
Counts: The above listing includes 162 objects with companions: 155 binaries, 6 triple systems, and the quadruple system of Pluto, for 170 companions total. These systems include the following:
35 near-Earth asteroids (1 with two satellites),
7 Mars crossing asteroids,
62 main-belt asteroids (4 with two satellites each),
2 Jupiter Trojan asteroids, and
56 trans-Neptunian objects (1 with two satellites, 1 with three satellites).
these figures include three TNOs--Pluto, (136108) Haumea, and (136199) Eris--that are so far recognized as dwarf planets under current IAU nomenclature.
For nearly all of the binaries listed above, the detections have been announced by the Minor Planet Center. While some have been assigned provisional designations and some have not, this distinction does not always separate candidates of higher confidence from those of lower confidence. Below is an attempt to draw some distinctions in this regard, but please note: this listing is still under revision; I do not claim to be an authoritative judge in this area, and corrections are welcome.
16 with permanent designations: three satellites of (134340) Pluto, (22) Kalliope, one satellite of (45) Eugenia, both satellites of (87) Sylvia, (243) Ida, (617) Patroclus, (42355) Typhon, (58534) Logos, (65489) Ceto, (88611) Teharonhiawako, two satellites of (136108) Haumea, and (136199) Eris.
15 well observed: (90) Antiope, (107) Camilla, (121) Hermione, (130) Elektra, (283) Emma, (379) Huenna, (762) Pulcova, one satellite of (3749) Balam, (66391) 1999 KW4, (66652) Borasisi, (185851) 2000 DP107, 1998 WW31, 2000 UG11, 2001 QW322, and 2003 QY90.
56 intermediate: (41) Daphne, one satellite of (45) Eugenia, two satellites of (216) Kleopatra, (624) Hektor, (702) Alauda, (854) Frostia, (1089) Tama, (1313) Berna, (1509) Esclangona, (3671) Dionysus, one satellite of (3749) Balam, (4029) Bridges, (4492) Debussy, (4951) Iwamoto, (26308) 1998 SM165, (35107) 1991 VH, (47171) 1999 TC36, (50000) Quaoar, (55637) 2002 UX25, (60621) 2000 FE8, (65803) Didymos, (66063) 1998 RO1, (69230) Hermes, (88710) 2001 SL9, (90482) Orcus, (119979) 2002 WC19, (120347) 2004 SB60, (123509) 2000 WK183, two satellites of (153591) 2001 SN263, (160256) 2002 PD149, (164121) 2003 YT1, (175706) 1996 FG3, (182933) 2002 GZ31, 1994 AW1, 1994 XD, 1998 ST27, 1999 OJ4, 1999 RT214, 2000 CF105, 2000 CQ114, 2000 QL251, 2001 QC298, 2002 BM26, 2002 CE26, 2002 KK8, 2003 AZ84, 2003 QW111, 2004 DC, 2004 PB108, 2005 NB7, 2006 GY2, 2006 VV2, 2007 DT103, and 2008 BT18.
83 unconfirmed: (809) Lundia, (939) Isberga, (1139) Atami, (1333) Cevenola, (1338) Duponta, (1453) Fennia, (1717) Arlon, (1830) Pogson, (1862) Apollo, (1866) Sisyphus, (2006) Polonskaya, (2044) Wirt, (2478) Tokai, (2486) Metsahovi, (2754) Efimov, (3073) Kursk, (3169) Ostro, (3309) Brorfelde, (3673) Levy, (3703) Volkonskaya, (3782) Celle, (3982) Kastel, (4674) Pauling, (4786) Tatianina, (5381) Sekhmet, (5407) 1992 AX, (5477) 1989 UH2, (5481) Kiuchi, (5905) Johnson, (6084) Bascom, (6244) Okamoto, (6265) 1985 TW3, (6615) Plutarchos, (7088) Ishtar, (7225) Huntress, (9069) Hovland, (8116) Jeanperrin, (9260) Edwardolson, (9617) Grahamchapman, (10208) 1997 QN1, (11264) Claudiomaccone, (15268) 1990 WF3, (16635) 1993 QO, (17246) 2000 GL74, (17260) 2000 JQ58, (22899) 1999 TO14, (31345) 1998 PG, (32008) HM53, (32039) JO23, (34706) 2001 OP83, (48639) 1995 TL8, (60458) CM114, (76818) 2000 RG79, (79360) 1997 CS29, (80806) 2000 CM105, (82075) 2000 YW134, (85938) 1999 DJ4, (114319) 2002 XD58, (119067) 2001 KP76, (134860) 2000 OJ67, (137170) 1999 HF1, (139775) 2001 QG298, (148780) Altjira, (160091) 2000 OL67, (162000) 1990 OS, (162483) 2000 PJ5, 1998 WV24, 2001 FL185, 2001 QQ322, 2001 QY297, 2001 RZ143, 2001 XR254, 2003 QA91, 2003 QR91, 2003 SS84, 2003 TJ58, 2003 UN284, 2003 WU188, 2005 AB, 2005 EO304, 2005 PR21, 2006 SF369, and 2007 TY430.
The above list is divided here by type, with links to individual pages.Many additional reports of asteroid companions are listed here: 66 companions reported (excluding 16 reports since refuted).
History: The first observations purporting to reveal asteroid satellites were lightcurve measurements during stellar occultations by asteroids, such as those of (6) Hebe in 1977 and (532) Herculina in 1978. These and similar reports over following years were eventually discounted for lack of confirmation. The first confirmed asteroid satellite discovery was made by Galileo during its flyby of (243) Ida in 1993. Several others have been discovered using direct imagery by the Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based adaptive optics telescopes. Lightcurve measurements have been analyzed to indicate the signature of eclipsing binaries for several near-Earth asteroids. Some of these have been confirmed by radar observations. Radar observations have also independently revealed some companions. The first minor planet with multiple satellites, (87) Sylvia, was identified in 2005. Regarding outer solar system objects, Pluto's first satellite was discovered in 1978, long before discovery of other trans-Neptunian objects. Other binary/multiple TNOs have been discovered since 2000.
Near-Earth objects: The near-Earth binary asteroids include 6 Atens, 20 Apollos, and 8 Amors, plus the triple Amor asteroid (153591) 2001 SN263 identified in 2008. In addition, 7 other Mars crossers are known binaries. These near-Earth asteroids are all close binaries. It appears likely that these binaries are "rubble piles" which have either been spun up by collisions sufficiently to fission into two bodies or have been tidally split by a close approach to a planet. Many other near-Earth asteroids have high rotation rates--close to the limit where fission will occur--and a few other such objects are double-lobed, like contact binaries. Additionally, the inner planets and the Moon show a number of double craters, apparently formed by the near-simultaneous impact of two objects. Together, the evidence implies that binary near-Earth asteroids may be common.
Main belt objects: The companions of main-belt asteroids discovered to date show a wider variety both in terms of separations between components and in terms of relative sizes. While some may prove to be fissioned rubble piles, it is expected that most will be collision fragments having mutually captured each other. The only system yet examined close up is (243) Ida and Dactyl; Galileo imagery shows a very irregular shape for Ida, implying that it is not a simple rubble pile. In 2005, (87) Sylvia was announced to have a second satellite, making it the first known triple component asteroid system. Such systems were predicted as an outcome of collisional disruption. Since collisions play such a large role in the history of main-belt asteroids, fragments as satellites have long been expected by astronomers.
Trojan asteroids: The first confirmed double Trojan asteroid, (617) Patroclus, has components which are very similar in size. The second identified binary, (624) Hektor, has a primary which is a contact binary accompanied by a smaller secondary.
Trans-Neptunian objects: With 54 binary TNOs, 1 triple TNO system, and the quadruple system of Pluto, among a total of 1,334 known TNOs and Centaurs, such binaries seem to be relatively common. The first companion discovered was that of 1998 WW31, found in December 2000. Most known TNO binaries are "Cubewanos" (or possible Cubewanos), orbiting in relatively low eccentricity orbits beyond Pluto. Additionally, many of the discovered binaries are more widely separated than the Pluto-Charon system. An exception is (139775) 2001 QG298, currently described as a contact binary. It has been suggested that the extreme variations in the lightcurve of some TNOs could be explained by the presence of a close companion. Note that Pluto, (136108) Haumea, and (136199) Eris are recognized as dwarf planets; Pluto formerly counted as a planet (and still does for some of us).
Images and figures regarding binary asteroids/TNOs:
Scale representations of Earth-approaching binary asteroids
Scale representations of main-belt and outer Solar System binary asteroids
Graph of ratio of component sizes vs. separation (click on small graph below for full size version)
Online lists/databases of binary asteroids/TNOs:
List of minor planet companions by IAU (2008). Binary Near-Earth Asteroids Detected by Radar by L. Benner (2008). TNOs and Centaurs with Satellites by J. Parker (2008). Binary asteroid parameters by P. Pravec and A. W. Harris (2007). List of double Minor Planets by D. Denissenko (2006).
Binary Asteroids by G. Faure (2006). Minor Planet Satellite Database by D. Bettis and D. Richardson (2005).
Summary of the properties of binary Near-Earth asteroids by P. Pravec and P. Scheirich, NASA PDS database (2005). Liste des Asteroides Binaries ou Suspectes de l'Etre (in French) (2004).
Overview articles on binary asteroids/TNOs: (this is not an exhaustive list by any means)
K. Noll et al., 2008, Binaries in the Kuiper Belt, in The Solar System Beyond Neptune, ed. by M. A. Barucci et al., Univ. of Arizona Press (Tucson, AZ), 345-363.
P. Descamps and F. Marchis, 2008, Angular momentum of binary asteroids: Implications for their possible origin, Icarus, 193:74-84. P. Pravec and A. W. Harris, 2007, Binary asteroid population: 1. Angular momentum content, Icarus, 190:250-259. K. S. Noll, 2006, Solar system binaries, in Asteroids, Comets, Meteors, Proceedings of the 229th Symposium of the International Astronomical Union, ed. by L. Daniela et al., Cambridge Univ. Press (Cambridge, UK), 301-318.
P. Pravec et al., 2006, Photometric survey of binary near-Earth asteroids, Icarus, 181:63-93. W. J. Merline et al., 2002, Asteroids do have satellites, in Asteroids III, ed. by W. F. Bottke Jr. et al., Univ. of Arizona Press (Tucson, AZ).
General links on binary asteroids/TNOs:
International Astronomical Union: Astronomical Headlines.
Recent IAUCs (requires subscription) Recent CBETSs (requires subscription)
Ondrejov NEO Photometric Program.
Photometric Survey for Asynchronous Binary Asteroids.
Ondrejov NEO Photometric Program - News.JPL Asteroid Radar Research.
Asteroid Radar History by S. Ostro.
Orbits of Binary Asteroids by F. Marchis et al.
Distant EKOs: The Kuiper Belt Electronic Newsletter by J. Parker.
Courbes de rotation d'asteroides et de cometes, CdR (in French).
Observed Minor Planet Occultation Events by D. Dunham (2005).
Double Asteroids and Minor Satellites, RASNZ Occultation Section (2005).
Dr. William J. Merline (press releases) at SWRI (2005).
Satellites of Asteroids by P. Maley (2003).
General articles on binary asteroids/TNOs (non-technical, mostly older):
Description of the Asteroid World by G. Faure (2004).Radar reveals five double asteroid systems, Cornell News (2002).
List of the 97 satellites of the Solar System by J. Perry (2001).
NASA Scientists Find Asteroid Pairs, Hypography (2001).
Asteroid Moons, Astronomical Society of the Pacific (2001).
Asteroid Moonlets--Finding More and More!, Planetary Society (2001).
General links on asteroids/TNOs:
Asteroid/Comet Connection--list of news items and links.
Minor Planet Center--primary source for asteroid data; includes:
Minor Planet Lightcurve Parameters.
Unusual Minor Planets--Minor Planet Center lists.
JPL SSD Small-Body Database Browser.
Small Bodies Node of the NASA Planetary Data System.
NEODyS--Near Earth Objects--Dynamic Site.
AstoDyS--Asteroids--Dynamic Site.
The Near-Earth Asteroids Data Base--EARN.
Minor Planet Mailing List--Yahoo! discussion forum for minor planet researchers.
List of abstracts on binary asteroids/TNOs (from ADS.)
Banner image: Ida and Dactyl (right) in an enhanced color image from Galileo taken 28 August 1993 (credit: NASA).
Comments? Questions? Corrections? Contact me.
© 2001-2007, 2008 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 29 November 2008.
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