In 2023, many celestial bodies will approach Earth within 0.05 astronomical units (about 7.4 million km), one of which is twice the height of the Burj Khalifa tower.
To date, scientists have identified more than 30,000 near-Earth object (NEO)term used to designate any cosmic object having a flight path close to the orbit of the blue planet. The majority of near-Earth objects are asteroidsalthough more than a hundred comets are also listed in this category.
Some near-Earth objects are classified as “Potentially dangerous”. These are objects with a diameter greater than 140 m and an orbit less than 0.05 astronomical units (approximately 7.4 million km, or 0.05 times the distance from the Earth to the Sun) relative to the Earth’s orbit.
In fact, as far as scientists know, no potentially dangerous object has a chance of colliding with Earth in the near future. Defining NEOs as potentially dangerous simply means that in the distant future their flight path could change into an orbit capable of impacting Earth. In the event of a collision, near-Earth objects are large enough to cause significant damage to the blue planet, at least on a regional scale.
Below is a list of the most potentially dangerous near-Earth objects – all of which are asteroids – that will fly by Earth in 2023, meaning they will approach the planet within 0.05 astronomical units, according to the NASA Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNNEOS) database.
363505 (2003UC20)
It is likely the largest asteroid to approach Earth this year. The CNEOS database shows that it measures approximately 1.9 km in diameter, or 2.3 times the height of the Burj Khalifa tower (828 m), the world’s tallest building in Dubai. This giant object takes 252 days to orbit the Sun and will fly past Earth on November 2 at the closest distance of 5.2 million km. At that time, it reached a speed of 7,971 km/s.
Simulation of the orbit of 363505 (2003 UC20) and the Earth around the Sun.
Simulation of the orbit of 363505 (2003 UC20) and the Earth around the Sun. (Photo: spatial reference).
199145 (2005 AA128)
The asteroid is estimated to have a diameter of between 0.566 and 1.265 km, meaning it is about the same size as the Golden Gate Bridge. 199145 (2005 YY128) makes one revolution around the Sun every 774 days. It will come closest to Earth on February 16 at a distance of 4.6 million km and will fly at a speed of 24,649 km/s.
436774 (2012 KY3)
The CNEOS database indicates that 436774 (2012 KY3) has an estimated width of 0.538 to 1.202 km, slightly less than 199145 (2005 YY128). This asteroid has an orbital period of 500 days around the Sun and is expected to fly closest to Earth on April 13. At that time, it could be 4.7 million km from us and reach a speed of 17,552 km/s.
Simulation of the orbits of 436774 (2012 KY3) and Earth around the Sun.
Simulation of the orbit of 436774 (2012 KY3) and the Earth around the Sun. (Photo: spatial reference).
139622 (2001 QQ142)
Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 139622 (2001 QQ142) likely has a diameter between 0.347 and 1.552 km. It orbits the Sun once every 620 days. At the time of its closest approach to Earth on December 6, the celestial body was about 5.5 million kilometers away and flying at a speed of 6,660 km/s.
349507 (year 2008)
349507 (QY 2008) orbits the Sun in 461 days. CNNEOS data shows it has a diameter between 0.518 and 1.159 km. This space rock will make its closest approach to Earth on October 3 at a distance of 6.3 million km and will then fly at a speed of 20,960 km/s.
Article source: VnExpress
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In 2023, many celestial bodies will approach Earth within 0.05 astronomical units (about 7.4 million km), one of which is twice the height of the Burj…
