When it whizzes past Earth in 2013, a newly discovered asteroid is going to miss our planet – but not by much! The 50 m space rock is expected to come closer than many of the satellites we have orbiting the Earth, reminding us how important it is to keep watch on hazards from above.
An amateur team discovered the unusual asteroid, named 2012 DA14, on 22 February. Its small size and orbit meant that they only spotted it after it had flown past Earth at about seven times the distance of the Moon.
Scientists predict that on its next flyby, due on 15 February 2013, it will pass Earth at just 24 000 km – closer than many satellites. “This is a safe distance, but it is still close enough to make the asteroid visible in normal binoculars,” says Detlef Koschny, who works in ESA’s Space Situational Awareness (SSA) office.
The asteroid was discovered by the La Sagra Sky Survey observatory in the southeast of Spain, which is one of the darkest, least light-polluted places in Europe.
An impact with Earth has been ruled out on the asteroid’s next visit, but the close approach will help astronomers to study this subject more. Together with information on space weather and debris, its information will help European scientists understand and assess hazards, particularly if an Earth-threatening asteroid is ever found.
