<p><a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2006.08304" rel="noreferrer">The first Vatira asteroid has been discovered</a>. This makes me wonder if there is already a name for the hypothetical class of asteroids that orbit entirely inside of Mercury's orbit. It wouldn't be the first time that an astronomical class is named before being actually observed.</p>

<p>Is there a name to designate the hypothetical subclass of Atira asteroids whose aphelion is closer to the Sun than Mercury's perihelion ?</p>

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2020-06-17T09:10:43.533Z
Dust... The heat and tidal forces at this kind of orbital distance would likely destroy any asteroid rather quickly.
ScottishTapWater
<asteroids><nomenclature>
What would an asteroid inside of Mercury's orbit be called?
usernumber
# What would an asteroid inside of Mercury's orbit be called?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-06-16)

[The first Vatira asteroid has been discovered](https://arxiv.org/abs/2006.08304). This makes me wonder if there is already a name for the hypothetical class of asteroids that orbit entirely inside of Mercury's orbit. It wouldn't be the first time that an astronomical class is named before being actually observed.

Is there a name to designate the hypothetical subclass of Atira asteroids whose aphelion is closer to the Sun than Mercury's perihelion ?

**Tags:** asteroids, nomenclature

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Dust... The heat and tidal forces at this kind of orbital distance would likely destroy any asteroid rather quickly.  

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## 0 answers

