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1984 AB - A unique Mars-crossing asteroidAsteroid 1984 AB, discovered in January 1984, proved to be a unique object with a close dynamical relationship to Mars. A brief history of the discovery and subsequent 'evolution' of the orbit as it was refined is presented. The preliminary orbit of 1984 AB indicated that it might be a Mars Trojan, and an extended discussion of this interesting possibility is presented, but this hypothesis had to be dismissed after further observations had refined the orbit. The semimajor axis and orbital eccentricity are very similar to that of Mars. No other known Mars-crossing asteroid exists with an orbit as closely associated to Mars.
Document ID
19850033296
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Helin, E. F.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Dunbar, R. S.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 60
ISSN: 0019-1035
Subject Category
Astronomy
Accession Number
85A15447
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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