2012 BX34
| Discovery[1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Catalina Sky Survey |
| Discovery date | 25 January 2012 |
| Designations | |
| Minor planet category |
Earth-crosser (Aten asteroid) |
| Orbital characteristics[2] | |
|
Epoch March 14, 2012 (JD 2456000.5) (Uncertainty=3)[2] | |
| Aphelion | 1.0336 AU (Q) |
| Perihelion | 0.49019 AU (q) |
| Semi-major axis | 0.76190 AU (a) |
| Eccentricity | 0.35661 |
| Orbital period | 242.91 days (0.67 yr) |
| Average orbital speed | 1.48200135°/day |
| Mean anomaly | 295.39° (M) |
| Inclination | 10.535° |
| Longitude of ascending node | 306.80° |
| Argument of perihelion | 335.646° |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | ~8 meters (26 ft)[3][4] |
| Rotation period | 1.8 hr[2] |
| Apparent magnitude | ~13.9[5] to 30.3 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 27.63[2] |
|
| |
2012 BX34 is a small Aten asteroid that made one of the closest recorded asteroid flybys of the Earth on 27 January 2012. The asteroid passed within 0.0004371 AU (65,390 km; 40,630 mi) of Earth during its closest approach at 15:25 GMT.[6] 2012 BX34 measures around 8 meters (26 ft) across; if it had impacted in 2012, it would have been too small to pass through Earth's atmosphere intact.[7]
During its 2012 close approach to Earth, the asteroid had a brightest apparent magnitude of about 13.9,[5] making it about as bright as the dwarf planet Pluto. By 25 February 2012, the asteroid had dimmed to magnitude 30.[1] During its close approach of 0.0246 AU (3,680,000 km; 2,290,000 mi) on 28 January 2014,[6] the asteroid will only reach a magnitude of about 23.[8] 2012 BX34 has been observed in more detail using radar astronomy.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "MPEC 2012-B62 : 2012 BX34". IAU Minor Planet Center. 26 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2012 BX34)". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ↑ "Images taken by legendary comet and asteroid hunter Rob McNaught tonight using T17 in Spain". iTelescope. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ↑ Dr. Lance A. M. Benner (26 January 2012). "2012 BX34 Goldstone Radar Observations Planning". NASA/JPL Asteroid Radar Research. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "NEODyS 2012BX34 Ephemerides for 27 January 2012". AstDyS-2 (Asteroids – Dynamic Site). Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "JPL Close-Approach Data: (2012 BX34)". 27 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ↑ AsteroidWatch (26 January 2012). "It wouldn't get through our atmosphere intact even if it dared to try". NASA/JPL Near-Earth Object Program Office. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ↑ "NEODyS 2012BX34 Ephemerides for 28 January 2014". AstDyS-2 (Asteroids – Dynamic Site). Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ↑ "Radar-Detected Asteroids and Comets". NASA/JPL Asteroid Radar Research. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
External links
- Orbital simulation from JPL (Java)/Horizons Ephemeris.
- "Zippy little asteroid 2012 BX34 makes a quick visit". Astro Bob. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- 2012 BX34 – Close Approach. (Ernesto Guido, Giovanni Sostero & Nick Howes). 27 January 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- "Asteroid makes near-miss fly-by". BBC. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- "Bus-Size Asteroid Buzzes Earth in Close Flyby". Space.com. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2013.