(300163) 2006 VW139

(300163) 2006 VW139 (provisional designation 2006 VW139, periodic comet designation 288P/2006 VW139) is a binary active asteroid and main-belt comet from the outer regions of the asteroid belt. The object was discovered by Spacewatch in 2006. Its binary nature was confirmed by the Hubble Space Telescope in September 2016. Both primary and its minor-planet moon are similar in mass and size, making it a true binary system. The components are estimated to measure 1.8 kilometers in diameter, orbiting each other at a wide separation of 104 kilometers every 135 days.

(300163) 2006 VW139
288P/2006 VW139
Time-lapse video of 2006 VW139
Discovery
Discovered bySpacewatch
Discovery siteKitt Peak National Obs.
Discovery date15 November 2006
Designations
MPC designation
(300163) 2006 VW139
Alternative designations
2006 VW139 · 288P
P/2006 VW139
Minor planet category
main-belt · (outer)
main-belt comet
Orbital characteristics
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 0
Observation arc16.31 yr (5,958 days)
Aphelion3.6619 AU
Perihelion2.4358 AU
Semi-major axis
3.0488 AU
Eccentricity0.2011
Orbital period (sidereal)
5.32 yr (1,944 days)
Mean anomaly
55.529°
Mean motion
0° 11m 6.36s / day
Inclination3.2402°
Longitude of ascending node
83.187°
281.00°
Known satellites1
Physical characteristics
Dimensions1.8±0.2 km (derived)
3.20 km (calculated)
Mass(6.15±4.85)×1012 kg
0.057 (assumed)
C (assumed)
16.2 · 16.20±0.24
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