Satellite System
A satellite with a diameter of ~1.5 km, designated S/2002 (3749) 1, was discovered by William J. Merline, Laird M. Close, Nick Siegler, Christophe Dumas, Clark R. Chapman, François J. Rigaut, François Ménard, William M. Owen Jr., and David C. Slater from the Gemini North Telescope, Mauna Kea; this was announced on February 13, 2002. It orbits 289±13 km away in 61±10 days, with an orbital eccentricity of ~0.9.
Being such as small primary body in the inner main belt with a separation of over 100 primary radii, S/2002 (3749) 1 is the most loosely-bound binary known. Balam has a hill sphere with a radius of about 1,500 km.
In March 2008, Franck Marchis discovered a larger (~3 km) inner companion, making this a triple system.
Read more about this topic: 3749 Balam
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