Designated as “potentially dangerous” by astronauts, the 0.6 mile / 1 kilometer wide 2001 FO32 … [+]
getty
This weekend sees the closest asteroid expected to pass over our planet in 2021 the closest way. It comes just weeks after an asteroid passed by the nickname ‘God Of Chaos’ – and will be monitored by NASA telescopes.
Considered “potentially dangerous” by astronauts and moving very fast, the 0.6 mile / 1 kilometer wide 2001 FO32 will be at its closest point to Earth on March 21, 2021.
It will pass within 1.25 million miles / 2 million kilometers according to NASA’s Jet Deployment Laboratory.
That may not seem too close, but that distance is close enough – astronomically – for 2001 FO32 to be considered “potentially dangerous.” Moreover, its proximity to Earth is becoming a special time for astronauts. Despite going about five hours further than the Moon from Earth, the approach very close to 2001 FO32 makes it clear enough for astronomers to study in detail.
While Asteroid Apophis in early March climbs with the Earth at 19 miles / 30 km per second, 2001 FO32 moves at a staggering 77,000 mph / 124,000 kph.
That’s it many faster than most asteroids travel.
Its terrific distances are due to its eccentric and elliptical orbital orbit around the Sun, which is very sensitive to the Earth and brings it closer to the Sun than Mercury and twice as far from the Sun. sun to Mars.
Each time it enters the Indoor Solar System to orbit the sun, it picks up speed, slowing down as it travels the other way.
This diagram shows the long and oblique orbit of 2001 FO32 as it travels around the sun … [+]
NASA / JPL-Caltech
Little is known about the nature of 2001 FO32 other than that it represents a memory of the creation of our Solar System.
Therefore, the arrival of the 2001 FO32 is a rare opportunity for astronauts to use large telescopes to take a closer look at something that is very ancient. So this weekend, the 2001 FO32 infrared spectrum will be measured by a 10.5-foot / 3.2-meter telescope at NASA’s Infrared Telescope facility on the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
This is important because recent studies by NEOWISE (which last year found the “comet of the century” Comet NEOWISE seen in July) suggest that 2001 FO32 is somewhat in the infrared, so It may be less than previously thought.
Astronomers also try to find out what 2001 FO32 is – and whether a moon is in orbit.
This image shows the view from inside the bowl of NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility at night … [+]
Edit / Getty images
“Observations going back 20 years have shown that about 15% of asteroids near Earth have a small moon that is similar in size to 2001 FO32,” said Lance Benner, chief scientist at JPL. “At the moment we don’t have much information about this item, so the close meeting provides a great opportunity to learn a lot about this asteroid. “
That’s true of a binary asteroid called Didymos and Didymoon that will pass near Earth in October 2022. The Double Asteroid Oriented Test (DART), a mission from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), will be launched later this year and crashed into the moon, using “defetic deflection” to slightly alter the orbit of the two asteroids.
Discovered in March 2001 by the Lincoln Asteroid Near-Earth Research (LINEAR) program in Socorro, New Mexico, 2001 the exact orbit of FO32 was accurately measured. That’s why astronomers know it won’t get closer to Earth than 1.25 million miles this weekend – and that it won’t threaten Earth for the rest of the 21st century.
Asteroid 2001 FO32’s next trip to Earth’s vicinity will be in 2052 when it will pass at about seven lunar distances, or 1.75 million miles (2.8 million kilometers).
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.