GBT17B-419

Searching for OH in A/2017 U1

Abstract

The asteroid A/2017 U1 is potentially an interstellar object based on its hyperbolic orbit. It has been categorized as an asteroid based on its lack of a coma visible in Pan-STARR and VLT data, but interstellar bodies are expected to be comets instead. We are proposing to search for OH emission using the GBT to determine if it is a comet or an asteroid and measure any variations in the OH properties with rotation of the body.

Investigators

Name	Institution
D.J. Pisano *	Cape Town, University of
Joe Lazio	Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Ryan Park	Jet Propulsion Laboratory

* indicates the PI