Elimination Of A Virtual Impactor Of 2006 Qv(89) Via Deep Non-Detection

Context. As a consequence of the large (and growing) number of near-Earth objects discovered, some are lost before their orbits can be firmly established and long-term recovery ensured. A fraction of these objects present non-negligible chances of impact with the Earth. We present a method of targeted observations that allow us to eliminate that risk by obtaining deep images of the area where the object would be, should it be on a collision orbit.Aims. 2006 QV(89) was one of these objects, with a chance of impact with the Earth on 2019 September 9. Its position uncertainty (of the order of 1 degrees) and faintness (below V similar to 24) made it a difficult candidate for a traditional direct recovery. However, the position of the virtual impactors could be determined with excellent accuracy.Methods. In July 2019 the virtual impactors of 2006 QV(89) were particularly well placed within a very small uncertainty region, and with an expected magnitude of V < 26. The area was imaged using the ESO Very Large Telescope in the context of the ESA/ESO collaboration on near-Earth objects,resulting in a strongly constrained non-detection. Results. We eliminated the virtual impactor, even without effectively recovering 2006 QV(89), indicating that it did not represent a threat.Conclusions. This method of deep non-detection of virtual impactors demonstrated a large potential to eliminate the threat of otherwise difficult-to-recover near-Earth objects.