The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20070210015649/http://www.johnstonsarchive.net:80/astro/asteroidmoonsq.html

Other Reports of Asteroid/TNO Companions

compiled by Wm. Robert Johnston
last updated 24 October 2006

This listing of other reported/postulated asteroid/TNO companions is incomplete. In some cases, subsequent analysis and/or observations have refuted the existence of a companion. Some diameter figures are triaxial dimensions from shape models which supercede the interpretations suggesting the presence of a companion. (Note that the delineation between the most likely candidates on this list and the least likely candidates on the previous page is ambiguous; corrections are welcome.)

designation primary
a (AU)
primary
e
primary
diameter (km)
companion
separation (km)
companion
diameter (km)
notes
(2) Pallas 2.773 0.230 570 x 525 x 482 1 29 May 1978 based on occulation data
750 175 1980 by E. Hege, W. Cocke, E. Hubbard, J. Christou, and R. Radick based on speckle interferometry; refuted by 29 May 1983 occultation observations
(6) Hebe 2.425 0.202 190 900 20 5 Mar 1977 by P. D. Maley based on occultation data (nicknamed "Jebe")
(9) Metis 2.387 0.122 150 1100 60 11 Dec 1979 by Venezuelan observers; additional reports 23 Dec 1979-23 Feb 1980 by Wang S., Wu Y., Bao M., Deng L., and Wu S. at Purple Mt. Obs.; discounted by 1982 observations; see IAUC 3739, IAUC 3753, IAUC 3767
(12) Victoria 2.336 0.220 110 1980 by E. Hege, W. Cocke, E. Hubbard, J. Christou, and R. Radick based on speckle interferometry; irregular shape suggested in 1995 by D. Mitchell, S. Ostro, and K. Rosema based on radar observations
(15) Eunomia 2.645 0.186 260 300 180 reported 1985 by A. Cellino, R. Pannunzio, V. Zappala', P. Farinella, and P. Paolicchi based on lightcurve data; model shown unstable in 1985
(18) Melpomene 2.296 0.218 140 1100 65 11 Dec 1978 by R. M. Williamon based on occultation data; designated S/1978 (18) 1; see IAUC 3315
(29) Amphitrite 2.555 0.072 210 suggested 1979 by E. Tedesco as interpretation of lightcurve data
(39) Laetitia 2.771 0.112 145 x 130 x 120 168 120 x 70 x 70 reported 1985 by A. Cellino, R. Pannunzio, V. Zappala', P. Farinella, and P. Paolicchi based on lightcurve data
(43) Ariadne 2.203 0.169 66 85 70 x 40 x 40 reported 1985 by A. Cellino, R. Pannunzio, V. Zappala', P. Farinella, and P. Paolicchi based on lightcurve data
(44) Nysa 2.424 0.148 70 x 70 x 60 83 50 x 25 x 25 reported 1985 by A. Cellino, R. Pannunzio, V. Zappala', P. Farinella, and P. Paolicchi based on lightcurve data
(46) Hestia 2.526 0.172 125 reported 1981 by F. Scaltriti, V. Zappala, and A. W. Harris based on lightcurve data
(49) Pales 3.084 0.235 150 reported 1979 by E. Tedesco based on lightcurve data
(51) Nemausa 2.365 0.067 150 suggested 1979 by E. Tedesco as interpretation of lightcurve data
(61) Danae 2.982 0.167 85 x 80 x 75 101 55 x 30 x 30 reported 1985 by A. Cellino, R. Pannunzio, V. Zappala', P. Farinella, and P. Paolicchi based on lightcurve data
(63) Ausonia 2.395 0.126 100 100 90 x 60 x 55 reported 1985 by A. Cellino, R. Pannunzio, V. Zappala', P. Farinella, and P. Paolicchi based on lightcurve data
(65) Cybele 3.437 0.104 240 900 11 17 Oct 1979 by V. Rakhimov and O. Najmov at Ura-Tyube based on occultation data; see IAUC 3439
(82) Alkmene 2.758 0.225 60 x 55 x 50 66 40 x 25 x 25 reported 1985 by A. Cellino, R. Pannunzio, V. Zappala', P. Farinella, and P. Paolicchi based on lightcurve data
(98) Ianthe 2.685 0.189 104 ? ? suggested in Apr 2004 by R. Venable based on occultation observations
(129) Antigone 2.866 0.214 115 suggested 1979 by E. Tedesco as interpretation of lightcurve data by F. Scaltriti and V. Zappala
(146) Lucina 2.719 0.066 140 1600 6 18 Apr 1982 by J. Arlot, J. Lecacheux, C. Richardson, and W. Thuillot based on occultation data; see IAUC 3692, IAUC 3699
500 reported 2003 from 1998-2000 astrometric observations by Kikwaya, Thuillot, ROcher, Martins, Arlot, and Angeli
(171) Ophelia 3.133 0.127 120 reported 1979 by E. Tedesco based on lightcurve data
(182) Elsa 2.417 0.186 44 reported 1984 by S. Dermott, A. W. Harris, and C. Murray based on long period
(192) Nausikaa 2.402 0.248 100 150 50 x 40 x 40 reported 1985 by A. Cellino, R. Pannunzio, V. Zappala', P. Farinella, and P. Paolicchi based on lightcurve data
(216) Kleopatra 2.792 0.253 217 x 94 x 81 475 8 10 Oct 1980 by G. Rattely and B. Cooke based on occultation data
220 80 1980 by S. J. Weidenschilling based on lightcurve data and 1986 by Ostro et ali based on radar observations; reported 1985 by A. Cellino, R. Pannunzio, V. Zappala', P. Farinella, and P. Paolicchi based on lightcurve data
(249) Ilse 2.377 0.216 35 reported 1987 by R. P. Binzel based on long period
(280) Philia 2.943 0.107 46 reported 1987 by R. P. Binzel based on long period
(287) Nephthys 2.353 0.024 70 140 suspected 2003
(288) Glauke 2.756 0.210 32 200? 15? reported 1983 by A. W. Harris based on long period
(302) Clarissa 2.405 0.112 38x64? ~300? 5? reported based on occultation observations by P. Dombrowski on 24 Jun 2004
(349) Dembowska 2.926 0.086 140 suggested 1979 by E. Tedesco as interpretation of lightcurve data
(354) Eleonora 2.800 0.112 155 suggested 1979 by E. Tedesco as interpretation of lightcurve data
(361) Bononia 3.951 0.213 142 ? ? suggested 31 Jan 2002 by R. Venable
(385) Ilmatar 2.848 0.126 92 reported 1989 by A. W. Harris based on long period
(407) Arachne 2.624 0.069 95 reported 1989 by S. J. Weidenschilling based on long period
(423) Diotima 3.067 0.040 210 1982 by H. J. Schober from lightcurve data
(433) Eros 1.458 0.223 33 x 17 x 13 reported 1901 by C. Andre based on lightcurve data; later modeled as single elongated object, shape confirmed by NEAR Shoemaker
(437) Rhodia 2.386 0.248 13 reported 1987 by R. P. Binzel based on long period
(508) Princetonia 3.159 0.018 140 reported 1989 by A. W. Harris based on long period
(532) Herculina 2.772 0.178 230 975 45 7 Jun 1978 by E. Bowell and M. A'Hearn at Lowell Obs. and J. McMahon at Boron; designated S/1978 (532) 1; see IAUC 3241
(624) Hektor 5.214 0.024 370 x 195 240 200 reported 1971 by A. F. Cook based on light curve data suggesting a close binary; since modeled as one double-lobed object
(709) Fringilla 2.913 0.116 97 reported 1984 by S. Dermott, A. W. Harris, and C. Murray based on long period
(772) Tanete 3.004 0.092 118 ? ? based on occultation observations by R. Sumner and R. Nolthenius in Apr 2004; see IOTA page
(893) Leopoldina 3.049 0.150 75 x 64 170 54 x 24 reported 29 Jan 1996 by EAON based on occultation data
(944) Hidalgo 5.754 0.660 38 ? ? suggested 1979 by E. Tedesco based on lightcurve variation with solar phase angle
(1024) Hale 2.865 0.225 41 ? ? suggested in Apr 2004 by R. Venable based on occultation observations
(1220) Crocus
(=1932 CU)
3.007 0.067 20 20 reported 1985 by R. P. Binzel based on long period
(1481) Tubingia
(=1938 DR)
3.016 0.049 33 reported 1987 by R. P. Binzel based on long period
(1580) Betulia
(=1950 KA)
2.197 0.488 6 reported 1979 by E. Tedesco based on long period
(1620) Geographos
(=1951 RA)
1.246 0.335 5.1 x 1.8 1994 by L. G. Karachkina, V. V. Prokof'eva, and V. P. Tarashchuk based on lightcurve data
(1627) Ivar 1.863 0.397 8 ? ? suggested by Hoffmann and Geyer in 1990 based on lightcurve observations; single elogated object model preferred
(1857) Parchomenko 2.243 0.024 ? reported 7 Jun 2006
(2063) Bacchus 1.078 0.349 1.1 x 0.5 x 0.5 ? ? suggested by Ostro et al. in 1999 based on radar observations, but single bilobated object model preferred
(2501) Lohja 2.422 0.195 14?
(2841) Puijo 2.252 0.084 10 ? ? suggested in Dec 2004 by B. Warner based on lightcurve observations
(3155) Lee 2.343 0.100 10 ? ? suggested in Nov 2004 by W. Ryan, E. Ryan, and C. Martinez based on lightcurve
(3169) Ostro 1.892 0.067 10? ? ? reported by Descamps et al. in Dec 2005; see CBET 320
(3220) Murayama 1.840 0.173 ? ? ? suggested in Oct 2005 by A. Tsuchikawa, S. Miyasaka, and H. Hamanowa based on lightcurve
(3665) Fitzgerald 2.418 0.089 10?
(3682) Welther 2.759 0.319 19 33 ? suggested in Apr 2004 by P. Szekely et ali based on lightcurve observations
(3782) Celle
(=1986 TE)
2.414 0.096 11 reported 3 May 2003 based on photometric data
(3868) Mendoza 2.334 0.098 9? ? ?
(4179) Toutatis
(=1989 AC)
2.510 0.634 4.6 x 2.4 x 1.9 1988 based on radar observations suggesting a close binary; in 1989-1992 modeled as one double-lobed object
(4197) 1982 TA 2.301 0.772 2? 4.4 2? 1996 by V. V. Prokof'eva, N. M. Gaftonyuk, and V. P. Tarashchuk from Crimean Astrophysical Obs. based on lightcurve data; binary nature not reported from 1996 radar observations
(4486) Mithra
(=1987 SB)
2.204 0.661 2 reported in 2000 by Ostro et ali from radar observations made July-August 2000 showing bifurcation
(4492) Debussy
(=1988 SH)
2.768 0.177 9? 21 Mar 2004 by R. Behrend, R. Roy, S. Sposetti, and L. Bernasconi based on lightcurve observations
(4769) Castalia
(=1989 PB)
1.063 0.483 1.8 x 0.8 0.75 0.75 22 Aug 1989 by S. J. Ostro, J. F. Chandler, A. A. Hine, K. D. Rosema, I. I. Shapiro, and D. K. Yeomans based on Arecibo radar observations suggesting a close binary; now modeled as one double-lobed object
(6611) 1993 VW 1.696 0.485 1.8? 3? ?
(11066) Sigurd 1.391 0.375 3.5 ? reported in Dec 2004 by L. Benner et ali based on radar observations indicating a contact binary shape
(11116) 1999 EK 2.196 0.226 ? reported Aug 2006 by Ondrejov Observatory based on lightcurve observations
(14402) 1991 DB 1.716 0.402 0.7? ? ?
(15350) Haganuma 2.379 0.277 11? 22? ?
(20000) Varuna
(=2000 WR106)
43.233 0.052 980 suggested in 2002 based on lightcurve
(32939) 1995 QY9 39.473 0.260 140? ? ? suggested in May 2004 by S. Sheppard and D. Jewitt based on long rotation period and lightcurve amplitude
(33128) 1998 BU48 33.396 0.383 160? ? ? suggested in May 2004 by S. Sheppard and D. Jewitt based on long rotation period and lightcurve amplitude
(47932) 2000 GN171 39.715 0.288 280? ? ? suggested in May 2004 by S. Sheppard and D. Jewitt based on long rotation period and lightcurve amplitude
(89355) 2001 VS78 1.787 0.308 3? ? ?
(90377) Sedna
(=2003 VB12)
531.7 0.857 1700? suggested in 2004 by M. Brown et al. based on long rotation period; long rotation period since refuted
2004 RZ164 2.559 0.615 0.6? ? ?

Principal sources:


© 2002-2005, 2006 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 24 October 2006.
Return to Home. Return to Astronomy and Space. Return to Asteroids with Satellites.