Nuclear and Orbital Characterization of the Transition Object (4015) 107P/Wilson–Harrington

Abstract Comet 107P/Wilson–Harrington, cross-listed as asteroid 4015, is one of the original transition objects whose properties do not neatly fit into a cometary or asteroidal origin. Discovered in period apparently gas-dominated activity 1949, it was subsequently lost and recovered inactive 1979 VA. We obtained new reanalyzed archival observations object, compared to meteorites, conducted orbital integrations order understand nature this object where falls on asteroid–comet continuum. Wilson–Harrington’s reflectance spectrum approximately neutral from visible near-infrared wavelengths, but has maximum near 0.8–0.9 μ m. The object’s well matched by laboratory spectra carbonaceous chondrite meteorites like CM Murchison C i Ivuna. phase curve slope compatible with either an origin, its recent history no periods high enough temperatures have altered surface. While possible that some unknown process acted change surface originally one, we instead prefer fundamentally origin for Wilson–Harrington, which can explain properties. However, would require way maintain significant (hyper)volatile supplies near-Earth beyond what currently expected. similar meteorite affinity link sample return targets (162173) Ryugu (101955) Bennu suggest returned samples Hayabusa-2 OSIRIS-REx missions might hold key understanding object.