Is 2021 PH27 an active asteroid with a meteor shower detectable on Venus?

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether the near-Earth asteroid 2021 PH27 is active like Phaethon and explores its potential to produce a detectable meteor shower on Venus, proposing observational opportunities around specific dates.

Contribution

It hypothesizes that 2021 PH27 may be an active asteroid similar to Phaethon and assesses its potential to generate a Venusian meteor shower, suggesting observational strategies.

Findings

Estimated brightness increase of 1.4 mag if active

Potential for meteor shower on Venus due to close approach

Optimal observation dates identified in 2022, 2023, and 2026

Abstract

The recently discovered near-Earth asteroid 2021 PH27 has the shortest orbital period of all known asteroids. It cannot be excluded that 2021 PH27 is also an active asteroid, as (3200) Phaethon. We intend to estimate the consequences of this hypothesis, although testing is difficult with ground-based observations during perihelion passages, due to low solar elongation. Assuming a surface activity similar to that of Phaethon, an increase in brightness of about 1.4 mag can be estimated. Since it is an asteroid with a MOID of $0.014660 \pm 0.000034$ AU with Venus, 2021 PH27 could be the equivalent of Phaethon for the Earth and be the progenitor body of a venusian meteor shower. A good opportunity to observe the hypothetical fireballs in Venus's atmosphere will take place on the days around Jun 07, 2023, when Venus will pass at the minimum distance from the nominal orbit of 2021 PH27. Another favorable date will be Jul 05, 2026. Finally, on Mar 28, 2022 the asteroid will also be at the maximum Sun elongation of about $52.3^{\circ}$ and at the aphelion of its orbit, the most favorable configuration to characterize it from the physical point of view with photometric, polarimetric and spectroscopic observations.