(89959) 2002 NT7

(89959) 2002 NT7 (also written (89959) 2002 NT7) is a near-Earth object (NEO) with a diameter of 1.2 miles[1] (2 kilometers) that became the first object observed by NASA's NEO program to be assigned a positive rating on the Palermo Technical Impact Hazard Scale, for a potential impact on February 1, 2019. Despite inflammatory press reports, the object had a "low probability" of impact, approximately one in a million.[1]

Further observations of the object quickly re-rated the threat lower. As of July 25, 2002, the hazard rating on the Palermo scale had been lowered to -0.25. However, the discovery of an object with an initial Palermo hazard rating of 0.06[2] was a historical event for the NEO observation program.

2002 NT7 was removed from the Sentry Risk Table on August 1, 2002.[3]

It is now known that on January 13, 2019 the asteroid will safely pass 0.4078 AU (61,010,000 km; 37,910,000 mi) from the Earth.[4]

On January 30, 2020 the asteroid will pass 0.02718 AU (4,066,000 km; 2,527,000 mi) from 2 Pallas.[5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Asteroid 2002 NT7 Under Watch, But Probably Not Coming Our Way (25 July 2002)
  2. ↑ "Space rock 'on collision course'". BBC News. 24 July 2002. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  3. ↑ "Date/Time Removed". NASA/JPL Near-Earth Object Program Office. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
  4. ↑ "JPL Close-Approach Data: 89959 (2002 NT7)" (last observation: 2011-09-12; arc: 57 years). Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  5. ↑ "NEODyS-2 Close Approaches for (89959) 2002NT7". Near Earth Objects - Dynamic Site. Retrieved 2011-11-05.

External links