| Discovery[1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | K. W. Wierzchos (Catalina Sky Survey) |
| Discovery date | 25 March 2023 |
| Designations | |
| 2023 FY3 | |
|
| |
| Orbital characteristics[3] | |
| Epoch 2023-Sep-13 (JD 2460200.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter3 | |
| Observation arc | 30 days |
| Aphelion | 1.1409631 AU (Q) |
| Perihelion | 0.9971420 AU (q) |
| 1.0690525 AU (a) | |
| Eccentricity | 0.0672657 (e) |
| 1.1054 years | |
| 177.4436° (M) | |
| Inclination | 0.593148° (i) |
| 1.8263° (Ω) | |
| 2023-Feb-25.99916 | |
| 154.4419° (ω) | |
| Earth MOID | 0.00452285 AU (676,609 km; 1.76015 LD) |
| Jupiter MOID | 3.82341 AU (571,974,000 km) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions |
|
| 29.0[4] | |
2023 FY3 is a near-Earth object roughly 5 meters (16 ft) in diameter discovered by K. W. Wierzchos observing with the 0.68-m Schmidt + 10K CCD of the Catalina Sky Survey.[1]
The object orbits the Sun but makes slow close approaches to the Earth–Moon system. Due to its Earth-like orbit, the object might be of artificial origin or lunar ejecta. However, visible spectroscopy obtained with the Gran Telescopio Canarias shows that it is an asteroid.[5] The closest approach to Earth in 2023 was 24 March 2023 at roughly 0.00369 au (343,000 mi) when it had a relative velocity of 1.46 km/s (3,300 mph).[3]
The reflectance spectrum of 2023 FY3 suggests that its origin is not artificial and also that it is not lunar ejecta;[5] it is also different from the V typeof2020 CD3 and the K-type of 2022 NX1.[5] It is a S type asteroid and considering typical values of the albedo of the S-type asteroids and its absolute magnitude, 2023 FY3 may have a size range of 5 m.[5] Its light curve gives a rotation period of 9.3±0.6 min with an amplitude of 0.48±0.13 mag.[5] This small asteroid roams the edge of Earth's co-orbital space and it is part of the Arjuna class. Currently exhibits horseshoe-like resonant behavior and experienced minimoon engagements of the temporarily captured flyby type in the past that may repeat in the future.
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