1998 QE2 was discovered LINEAR on August 19, 1998. This object was observed by the Spitzer Space
Telescope by Trilling et al. (2010), who estimated that it has a diameter of 2.7 km and a dark
optical albedo of 0.06. Otherwise its physical properties are unknown.
1998 QE2 will approach within 0.039 AU (15 lunar distances) on May 31, 2013, when it will be
a very strong radar target at both Goldstone and Arecibo. The asteroid will approach from the
south and enter Goldstone's declination range on May 28 and Arecibo's on June 5. We are
planning an extensive campaign of observations at both observatories.
We hope to achieve resolutions as fine as 3.75 m. During some of the observations, we hope to
uplink 3.75 m chirps for reception at Arecibo. Arecibo monostatic observations should
obtain resolutions as fine as 7.5 meters.
This is going to be one of the best radar targets of the year.
Observations are scheduled on 7 dates at Goldstone bewteen May 30-June 9.
The schedule at Arecibo isn't available yet, but we expect that at least several
dates will be scheduled starting on June 5.
1998 QE2 is already well-positioned for optical observations for telescopes in the southern hemisphere,
and it will be bright all the way through the end of August of 2013, so we expect that optical
observers will obtain photometry to estimate its rotation period and spectroscopy to determine the
spectral class and constrain the composition.
In early June, this object should reach magnitude 11 and be visible in small telescopes.1998 QE2 has been classified as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" by the Minor Planet Center.
http://echo.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroids/1998QE2/1998QE2_planning.html
