(7474) 1992 TC is a large sized
M-type asteroid
M-type (metallic-type, aka M-class) asteroids are a spectral class of asteroids which appear to contain higher concentrations of metal phases (e.g. iron-nickel) than other asteroid classes, and are widely thought to be the source of iron meteorit ...
discovered by
Robert H. McNaught
Robert H. McNaught (born in Scotland in 1956) is a Scottish-Australian astronomer at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics of the Australian National University (ANU). He has collaborated with David J. Asher of the Armagh Observator ...
in 1992. It is notably one of a few similar M-type asteroids, including the named asteroids
4660 Nereus
4660 Nereus (Provisional designation in astronomy, provisional designation 1982 DB) is a small (about ) asteroid. It was discovered by Eleanor F. Helin on 28 February 1982, approximately a month after it passed from Earth.
Nereus is potentiall ...
and
65803 Didymos
65803 Didymos (Minor planet provisional designation, provisional designation ) is a sub-kilometer asteroid and Binary asteroid, binary system that is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid and near-Earth object of the Apollo asteroid, A ...
, which can be reached easily by spacecraft from Earth. The
delta-V
Delta-''v'' (also known as "change in velocity"), symbolized as and pronounced , as used in spacecraft flight dynamics, is a measure of the impulse per unit of spacecraft mass that is needed to perform a maneuver such as launching from or l ...
required to reach 7474 (1992 TC) would be about ,
which is less than is needed to reach the Moon. M-type asteroids are thought to be composed primarily of nickel and iron, which if proven to be true means that 7474 (1992 TC) may one day become an important source of raw materials in space.
With an
absolute magnitude of 18.0,
[ the asteroid is about 670–1500 meters in diameter.][
]
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:1992 TC
007474
Discoveries by Robert H. McNaught
19921001