Other reports of asteroid/TNO companions

Other Reports of Asteroid/TNO Companions
compiled by Wm. Robert Johnston
last updated 17 February 2013

This listing of other reported/postulated asteroid/TNO companions may be incomplete. It includes 116 asteroids: 98 suggested binaries, plus 18 cases where 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
(2) Pallas	2.773	0.230	570 x 525 x 482	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	185	900	20	5 Mar 1977 by P. D. Maley based on occultation data (nicknamed "Jebe"); see MPB 5:16-17
(9) Metis	2.387	0.122	205	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	127	?	?	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	255	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	141	1100	65	11 Dec 1978 by R. M. Williamon based on occultation data; designated S/1978 (18) 1; see IAUC 3315
(21) Lutetia	2.436	0.163	96	1000?	?	Mar 2007 by V. Busarev, V. Prokofeva, and V. Bochkov based on spectral analysis; no satellite observed during Rosetta flyby in 2010
(29) Amphitrite	2.555	0.072	227	?	?	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	72	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	124	?	?	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	148	?	?	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	103	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	237	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	130	?	?	suggested 1979 by E. Tedesco as interpretation of lightcurve data by F. Scaltriti and V. Zappala
(146) Lucina	2.719	0.066	132	1600	6	18 Apr 1982 by J. Arlot, J. Lecacheux, C. Richardson, and W. Thuillot based on occultation data; see IAUC 3692, IAUC 3699
(146) Lucina	2.719	0.066	132	500	?	reported 2003 from 1998-2000 astrometric observations by Kikwaya, Thuillot, ROcher, Martins, Arlot, and Angeli
(171) Ophelia	3.133	0.127	104	?	?	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	103	150	50 x 40 x 40	reported 1985 by A. Cellino, R. Pannunzio, V. Zappala', P. Farinella, and P. Paolicchi based on lightcurve data
(234) Barbara	2.386	0.244	54	24?	21?	suggested in 2009 by M. Delbo, S. Ligori, A. Matter, A. Cellino, and J. Berthier based on thermal modeling
(249) Ilse	2.377	0.216	35	?	?	reported 1987 by R. P. Binzel based on long period
(279) Thule	4.271	0.010	127	?	?	suggested in 2010
(280) Philia	2.943	0.107	46	?	?	reported 1987 by R. P. Binzel based on long period
(287) Nephthys	2.353	0.024	62	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	209	?	?	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	16	?	?	reported 1987 by R. P. Binzel based on long period
(508) Princetonia	3.159	0.018	142	?	?	reported 1989 by A. W. Harris based on long period
(532) Herculina	2.772	0.178	222	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
(709) Fringilla	2.913	0.116	91	?	?	reported 1984 by S. Dermott, A. W. Harris, and C. Murray based on long period
(772) Tanete	3.004	0.092	143	?	?	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	48	?	?	suggested in Apr 2004 by R. Venable based on occultation observations
(1090) Sumida	2.360	0.219	?	?	?	suggested in Oct 2012 by B. Warner based on lightcurve observations
(1220) Crocus (=1932 CU)	3.007	0.067	18	?	20	reported 1985 by R. P. Binzel based on long period
(1344) Caubeta	2.248	0.120	5.8	?	?	reported Jan 2012 as probable but inconclusive by Photometric Survey for Asynchronous Binary Asteroids program
(1481) Tubingia (=1938 DR)	3.016	0.049	37	?	?	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	8.4	?	?	suggested by Hoffmann and Geyer in 1990 based on lightcurve observations; single elogated object model preferred
(1857) Parchomenko	2.244	0.134	8.5	?	?	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
(2074) Shoemaker	1.800	0.082	5?	?	?	suggested in 2009 by Warner et al. based on reanalysis of 2003 lightcurve observations by R. D. Stephens
(2083) Smither	1.872	0.051	4.3	?	?	suggested by B. D. Warner et al. in 2010 based on lightcurve observations
(2501) Lohja	2.422	0.195	12	?	?	suggested by D. Higgins and P. Pravec in Apr 2006 based on lightcurve observations
(2658) Gingerich	3.077	0.285	12	?	?	reported in Oct 2007 by L. A. Molnar and M. J. Haegert based on lightcurve observations; see MPB 34:4
(2841) Puijo	2.252	0.085	6.8	?	?	suggested in Dec 2004 by B. Warner based on lightcurve observations
(3076) Garber	2.238	0.189	5.3	?	?	suggested by D. Higgins et al. in 2010 based on lightcurve observations
(3145) Walter Adams	2.192	0.237	3.8	?	?	suggested by L. E. Owings et al. in 2010 based on lightcurve observations
(3155) Lee	2.342	0.100	10	?	?	suggested in Nov 2004 by W. Ryan, E. Ryan, and C. Martinez based on lightcurve
(3220) Murayama	2.225	0.174	9?	?	?	suggested in Oct 2005 by A. Tsuchikawa, S. Miyasaka, and H. Hamanowa based on lightcurve
(3352) McAuliffe	1.879	0.369	2?	?	?	suggested in Jul 2012 by B. D. Warner based on lightcurve observations
(3623) Chaplin	2.854	0.088	13?	?	?	suggested 12 Oct 2008
(3665) Fitzgerald	2.417	0.089	10?	?	?	suggested by P. Pravec in Jun 2006 based on lightcurve observations
(3682) Welther	2.753	0.323	19	33	?	suggested in Apr 2004 by P. Szekely et ali based on lightcurve observations
(3854) George	1.892	0.134	4?	?	?	suggested in 2006 by B. D. Warner et al. based on lightcurve observations
(4179) Toutatis (=1989 AC)	2.531	0.629	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
(4182) Mount Locke	2.798	0.135	10	?	?	suggested in 2008 by Behrend based on lightcurve observations
(4197) 1982 TA	2.300	0.772	3.0	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
(4217) Engelhardt	2.313	0.213	9.2	?	?	suggested in April 2012 by B. D. Warner based on lightcurve observations
(4440) Tchantches	1.921	0.077	2.1	?	?	suggested in 2005 based on lightcurve observations; refuted in followup observations reported by B. D. Warner et al.
(4486) Mithra (=1987 SB)	2.204	0.660	1.8	?	?	reported in 2000 by Ostro et ali from radar observations made July-August 2000 showing bifurcation
(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
(5325) Silver	2.365	0.218	8.9	?	?	suggested by D. Higgins et al. in 2010 based on lightcurve observations
(6170) Levasseur	2.351	0.319	6	?	?	suggested by D. Higgins et al. in 2010 based on lightcurve observations
(6611) 1993 VW	1.696	0.485	1.8?	3?	?	suggested by P. Pravec et al. in Jun 2005 based on lightcurve observations
(6815) Mutchler	2.433	0.190	5?	?	?	suggested 4 Nov 2006 by Photometric Survey for Asynchronous Binary Asteroids program based on lightcurve observations
(6901) Roybishop	1.942	0.112	5.8	?	?	suggested by B. D. Warner et al. in 2010 based on lightcurve observations
(7033) 1994 WN2	2.242	0.044	4.7	?	?	reported 6 Apr 2009 as inconclusive by Photometric Survey for Asynchronous Binary Asteroids program
(7247) 1991 TD1	1.917	0.118	4	?	?	suggested Jan 2013 by B. Warner based on lightcurve observations
(7516) Kranjc	2.312	0.240	6.1	?	?	suggested Apr 2008 by Oey based on lightcurve observations; not confirmed
(7758) Poulanderson	2.382	0.186	?	?	?	suggested in Oct 2012 by B. Warner based on lightcurve observations
(11001) Andrewulff	2.227	0.212	4?	?	?	reported Apr 2012 as inconclusive by Photometric Survey for Asynchronous Binary Asteroids program
(11066) Sigurd	1.392	0.375	2.8	?	?	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	3.1	20?	?	reported in 2006 and 2009 based on lightcurve observations
(14402) 1991 DB	1.716	0.402	0.6?	?	?	suggested by P. Pravec in Feb 2000 based on lightcurve observations
(14950) 1996 BE2	2.259	0.098	5.7	?	?	reported 10 Jun 2010 as inconclusive by Photometric Survey for Asynchronous Binary Asteroids program
(15350) Naganuma	2.381	0.275	4.4	22?	?	suggested Nov 2005 by D. Pray et al. based on lightcurve observations
(15430) 1998 UR31	2.222	0.170	3.7	?	?	reported 10 Jun 2010 as inconclusive by Photometric Survey for Asynchronous Binary Asteroids program
(15515) 1999 VN80	2.877	0.244	10	?	?	suggested 2008 by R. Behrend based on lightcurve observations; not confirmed
(20000) Varuna (=2000 WR106)	42.855	0.052	785	?	?	suggested in 2002 based on lightcurve observations
(20037) Duke	1.884	0.121	3	?	?	suggested by B. D. Warner in 2010 based on lightcurve observations
(24465) 2000 SX155	1.925	0.085	4?	?	?	suggested in Jul 2012 by B. D. Warner based on lightcurve observations
(25332) 1999 KK6	1.892	0.062	5	?	?	suggested Jan 2013 by B. Warner based on lightcurve observations
(25884) 2000 SQ4	1.954	0.081	4	?	?	suggested by B. D. Warner et al. in July 2012 based on lightcurve observations
(29168) 1990 KJ	2.308	0.177	4.9	?	?	reported Sep 2011 as probable but inconclusive by Photometric Survey for Asynchronous Binary Asteroids program
(32929) 1995 QY9	39.934	0.269	140?	?	?	suggested in May 2004 by S. Sheppard and D. Jewitt based on long rotation period and lightcurve amplitude
(33128) 1998 BU48	33.156	0.384	160?	?	?	suggested in May 2004 by S. Sheppard and D. Jewitt based on long rotation period and lightcurve amplitude
(46037) 2001 DF33	2.763	0.351	6?	?	?	suggested in April 2012 by B. D. Warner based on lightcurve observations
(47932) 2000 GN171	39.366	0.281	234	?	?	suggested in May 2004 by S. Sheppard and D. Jewitt based on long rotation period and lightcurve amplitude
(53431) 1999 UQ10	1.837	0.144	5	?	?	suggested by B. D. Warner in 2010 based on lightcurve observations
(66146) 1998 TU3	0.737	0.484	4	?	?	suggested by Hicks et al. in 2010 based on lightcurve observations
(67175) 2000 BA19	1.905	0.068	3.5	?	?	suggested Jan 2013 by B. Warner based on lightcurve observations
(70030) Margaretmiller	1.953	0.085	3.5	?	?	suggested by B. D. Warner in Jan 2012 based on lightcurve observations
(85989) 1999 JD6	0.883	0.633	1.5	?	?	suggested in Feb 2008 by D. Polishook and N. Brosch based on lightcurve observations
(86450) 2000 CK33	0.968	0.415	0.8?	?	?	suggested in Feb 2008 by D. Polishook and N. Brosch based on lightcurve observations
(89355) 2001 VS78	1.787	0.308	3?	?	?	suggested by P. Pravec in Feb 2002 based on lightcurve observations
(90377) Sedna (=2003 VB12)	509.8	0.850	995	?	?	suggested in 2004 by M. Brown et al. based on long rotation period; long rotation period since refuted
(242191) 2003 NZ6	0.793	0.492	0.37	?	?	suggested in Feb 2008 by D. Polishook and N. Brosch based on lightcurve observations
(263976) 2009 KD5	1.046	0.262	0.79	?	?	reported 30 Jun 2010 by M. Hicks et al. based on lightcurve observations
2004 RZ164	2.554	0.615	0.6?	?	?	suggested by P. Pravec in Dec 2004 based on lightcurve observations
2011 EZ78	2.401	0.539	1.3?	?	?	suggested Jul 2011 based on lightcurve observations by Photometric Survey for Asynchronous Binary Asteroids program
2012 RV16	2.757	0.675	0.4?	?	?	suggested Nov 2012 based on radar observations

Principal sources:

Cellino, A., R. Pannunzio, V. Zappala', P. Farinella, and P. Paolicchi, "Do we observe light curves of binary asteroids?," 1984, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 144:355-362.
Denissenko, Denis, 15 Feb 2002, List of double minor planets.
Dunham, David, 27 Feb 2002, Observed minor planet occultation events.
Higgins, David, 2006, Minor planet lightcurves.
JPL, 2003, JPL DASTCOM Database.
"A list of suspected or known binary asteroids," 2 April 2002, http://www.bdl.fr/observateur/binast/binary_ast.php.
Peebles, Curtis, 2000, Asteroids: A History, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC.
Tedesco, E., "Binary asteroids: evidence for their existence from lightcurves," 1979, Science, 203:905-907.
Tedesco, E., et ali, Mar 1998, IRAS Minor Planet Survey, version 4, IMPS Derived Diameters and Albedos.
Weidenschilling, Stuart J., Paolo Paolicchi, and Vincenzo Zappala', 1989, "Do asteroids have satellites?," pp. 643-658 in Asteroids, ed. by R. P. Binzel, T. Gehrels, and M. S. Matthews, Univ. of Arizona Press, Tucson, AZ.

© 2002-2012, 2013 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 17 February 2013.
Return to Home. Return to Astronomy and Space. Return to Asteroids with Satellites.