Reply To: Interstellar asteroid A11pl3Z

Forums Asteroids Interstellar asteroid A11pl3Z Reply To: Interstellar asteroid A11pl3Z

#630445
Nick James
Participant

Yes, this is a very interesting object that appears to be brightening quite rapidly so it could be cometary (I hope). We’ll have plenty of time to observe it but not when it is at perihelion since it is at inferior conjunction then. I’m preparing a news note and will upload it later. Astrometry will be very useful but the arc (with precoveries) is already long enough to give us a pretty stable orbit solution. It is definitely interstellar with a rather high approach velocity.

For now, beware the most planetarium programs will break with elements that have e=6!