A peanut-shaped asteroid approaches Earth

by time news

2024-09-02 12:12:47

A series of radar images obtained by a solar system radar Goldstonein California, on August 18, put the Phosphorus 2024 JV33 Shortly before the approach to Earth. The images were taken when the asteroid was at a distance of 4.6 million kilometers, approximately 12 times the distance between the Moon and Earth, the report said. NASA.

Discovered by Catalina Sky Survey On June 4, the shape of the near-Earth asteroid resembled that of a peanut, with two round lobes, one larger than the other.

Scientists use radar images to determine what it is about 300 meters long and its length is almost twice its width. Asteroid 2024 JV33 rotates once every seven hours.

Radar is the primary technique for detecting such asteroids, which are called contact binary systems. Dozens of them have been photographed by Goldstone, which is part of them NASA Deep Space Network. At least 14% of near-Earth asteroids larger than 200 meters form a contact binary.

Asteroid 2024 JV33 has an elongated orbit similar to that of many comets that are heavily influenced by the gravity of Jupiter. While no comet-like activity has been observed, it is possible that the asteroid could be a burning cometary nucleus.

The asteroid is classified as hazardous, but poses no threat to Earth in the foreseeable future. These Goldstone measurements have greatly reduced the uncertainties in the asteroid’s distance from Earth and future motion for many years.

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