Other reports of asteroid/TNO companions

Other Reports of Asteroid/TNO Companions
compiled by Wm. Robert Johnston
last updated 23 November 2008

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
(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	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
(21) Lutetia	2.436	0.163	96	1000?	?	Mar 2007 by V. Busarev, V. Prokofeva, and V. Bochkov based on spectral analysis
(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
(146) Lucina	2.719	0.066	140	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
(216) Kleopatra	2.792	0.253	217 x 94 x 81	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
(2131) Mayall	1.887	0.111	7.8			suggested in 2005 by B. Warner based on lightcurve observations; not confirmed in subsequent observations
(2501) Lohja	2.422	0.195	14?
(2658) Gingerich	3.084	0.280	?	?	?	reported in Oct 2007 by L. A. Molnar and M. J. Haegert based on lightcurve observations; see MPB 34:4
(2841) Puijo	2.252	0.084	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
(3220) Murayama	1.840	0.173	?	?	?	suggested in Oct 2005 by A. Tsuchikawa, S. Miyasaka, and H. Hamanowa based on lightcurve
(3632) Chaplin	2.764	0.312	?
(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?	?	?
(3873) Roddy	1.892	0.134	10?	?	?	suggested Mar 2008 by B. Warner based on lightcurve observations
(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
(5474) Gingasen	2.383	0.067	10?	?	?	suggested by D. Higgens et al. based on lightcurve observations
(6611) 1993 VW	1.696	0.485	1.8?	3?	?
(7369) Gavrilin	2.370	0.319	8?	?	?	suggested by Ondrejov Photometric Survey based on lightcurve observations
(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) Naganuma	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
(85989) 1999 JD6	0.883	0.633	?	?	?	suggested in Feb 2008 by D. Polishook and N. Brosch based on lightcurve observations
(86450) 2000 CK33	0.968	0.415	?	?	?	suggested in Feb 2008 by D. Polishook and N. Brosch based on lightcurve observations
(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
2003 NV6	0.793	0.493	?	?	?	suggested in Feb 2008 by D. Polishook and N. Brosch based on lightcurve observations
2004 RZ164	2.559	0.615	0.6?	?	?

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.

© 2002-2007, 2008 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 23 November 2008.
Return to Home. Return to Astronomy and Space. Return to Asteroids with Satellites.