2006 JY26


is a very small near-Earth object orbiting in the inner Solar System. It is a horseshoe companion to the Earth like 3753 Cruithne.

Discovery, orbit and physical properties

was discovered by E. J. Christensen on 6 May 2006, observing for the Catalina Sky Survey.
Its orbit is characterized by low eccentricity, low inclination and a semi-major axis of 1.01 AU. Upon discovery, it was classified as an Apollo asteroid but also an Earth crosser by the Minor Planet Center. The orbit is based on 76 observations spanning a data-arc of 4 days. has an absolute magnitude (H) of 28.4 which gives a characteristic diameter of about 9 meters.

Impact risk

It is listed on the Sentry Risk Table with a 1 in 210 chance of impacting Earth on 3 May 2074. The nominal best-fit orbit shows that will be from Earth on 3 May 2074. An impact from this object would be less severe than the Chelyabinsk meteor.

Horseshoe companion to the Earth and orbital evolution

Recent calculations indicate that it follows a horseshoe orbit with respect to the Earth. It had a close encounter with the Earth on 10 May 2006, at. Its orbital evolution is very chaotic and its orbit is difficult to predict beyond a few hundred years. Its orbit matches the expected properties of that of an object in the Arjuna-class.

Origin

It may have been originated within the Venus–Earth–Mars region or in the main asteroid belt like other near-Earth objects, then transition to Amor-class asteroid before entering Earth's co-orbital region.