Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
IAUC 4256: 1986 RA
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Circular No. 4256
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
Postal Address: Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
TWX 710-320-6842 ASTROGRAM CAM Telephone 617-495-7244/7440/7444
1986 RA
E. Helin, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has reported a strong,
trailed, prediscovery image, possibly with a diffuse margin, on a
plate taken by G. Carlson (assisted by R. Day) with the 1.2-m
Palomar Schmidt on Aug. 11 (see MPC 11127). The following improved
orbital elements by B. G. Marsden are from MPC 11155:
T = 1986 Sept. 5.0811 ET
Peri. = 161.1200 e = 0.623634
Node = 177.2187 1950.0 a = 3.268216 AU
Incl. = 18.8617 n = 0.1668161
q = 1.230045 AU P = 5.91 years
1986/87 ET R.A. (1950.0) Decl. p r V
Sept. 7 21 26.33 +14 14.0 0.252 1.230 14.0
12 21 46.16 + 8 19.6
17 22 06.81 + 2 08.2 0.249 1.239 13.9
22 22 27.54 - 3 51.7
27 22 47.67 - 9 14.7 0.274 1.259 14.0
Oct. 2 23 06.69 -13 45.0
7 23 24.28 -17 17.4 0.324 1.290 14.6
12 23 40.35 -19 54.9
17 23 54.89 -21 44.5 0.394 1.331 15.2
27 0 19.86 -23 31.8
Nov. 6 0 40.60 -23 33.7 0.576 1.436 16.3
16 0 58.59 -22 28.4
26 1 14.88 -20 42.0 0.802 1.564 17.2
Dec. 6 1 30.25 -18 30.8
16 1 45.20 -16 06.0 1.068 1.706 18.0
26 2 00.01 -13 35.6
Jan. 5 2 14.87 -11 04.8 1.371 1.854 18.7
15 2 29.88 - 8 37.4
25 2 45.06 - 6 16.1 1.703 2.006 19.3
Marsden adds: "Although the orbit of 1986 RA superficially
resembles that of a short-period comet, it seems to be in 'permanent'
2/1 libration with Jupiter; i.e., it is more nearly similar to
(1362) Griqua than to a typical cometary 'temporary' 2/1 librator.
1986 RA is the first known 2/1 permanent librator that is also a
Mars crosser, and its closest approach distance to Jupiter is 3.7
AU. The above elements are still somewhat uncertain but also suggest
a record low libration amplitude, possibly as low as 25 deg."
1986 September 17 (4256) Daniel W. E. Green
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