2006 LM1 is a trans-Neptunian object and retrograde damocloid on a highly eccentric, cometary-like orbit. It was first observed on 3 June 2006 by the Mount Lemmon Survey at the Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona, United States. The orbit of 2006 LM1 is highly uncertain as its observation arc is only spans 2 days. 2006 LM1 measures approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) in diameter, assuming a low albedo of 0.09.[3]

2006 LM1
Discovery[1][2]
Discovered byMt. Lemmon Survey
Discovery siteMt. Lemmon Obs.
Discovery date3 June 2006
Designations
2006 LM1
TNO[1] · damocloid[3]
distant[2]
Orbital characteristics[1][2]
Epoch 4 June 2006 (JD 2453890.5)
Uncertainty parameter 9
Observation arc2 days
Aphelion60.672 AU
Perihelion3.702 AU
32.187 AU
Eccentricity0.88499
182.61 yr
359.490°
0° 0m 19.431s / day
Inclination172.136°
120.659°
202.317°
Earth MOID2.68715 AU
Physical characteristics
~5 km[3]
14.854±0.261[1]
14.8[2]

Orbit

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The orbit of 2006 LM1 has a high eccentricity of 0.88 and a semi-major axis of 32.2 AU. Its perihelion distance is 3.7 AU from the Sun and its aphelion distance is 60.7 AU. Its orbit is inclined 172 degrees to the ecliptic plane, meaning that it orbits the Sun in a retrograde (backwards) motion compared to the planets in the Solar System.[1] Because of 2006 LM1's highly eccentric and inclined orbit, it is classified as a damocloid, a group of minor planets with long period comet-like orbits.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2006 LM1)" (2006-06-05 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "2006 LM1". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Johnston, Wm. Robert (7 October 2018). "List of Known Trans-Neptunian Objects". Johnston's Archive. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
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