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Asteroid Passed 'Extremely Close' To Earth Without Smacking Any Satellites [Hello And Goodbye, Asteroid 2020 OY4]
YouTube ^ | recently | AstroBytes

Posted on 08/02/2020 6:26:14 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

An asteroid named 2020 OY4, made its closest approach to our planet on July 28, when it was discovered just 26,000 miles away from Earth. It flew by earth at the range that rivals the orbits of some high-flying satellites.

This is extremely close in astronomical terms, and just 11 percent of the average distance between the Earth and the moon.

In fact, the data from NASA that tracks near-Earth objects suggests that the close approach of this asteroid was the closest that any asteroid will come to our planet for the next year.

However, if you measure by the minimum possible close-approach distance, one small asteroid, may come even closer in November, potentially passing at an incredibly close distance of just over 4,700 miles.

Astronomers snapped a photo of this asteroid on July 27 when it was located around 155,000 miles from earth.

Using one of the remotely-operated telescopes known as "Elena," Astronomers took a single, long exposure shot, in which the asteroid can be seen in the middle as a tiny, bright white dot.

The numerous white streaks in the image are stars, which appear like trails because the telescope was tracking the asteroid as it moved at high speeds of 27,700 miles per hour relative to Earth.

The asteroid, which measures under 10 feet, was discovered on July 26, 2020 during an astronomical survey conducted by the Mount Lemmon Observatory.

Despite it's close approach, there was no chance that the asteroid would end up colliding with Earth.

And even if it hits earth, Asteroid of this size always burn up in the atmosphere, meaning they pose little risk.

(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Science
KEYWORDS: 2020nd; 2020oy4; asteroid; asteroids; astronomy; catastrophism; science
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To: SunkenCiv
Aren't we still talking about a sci-fi novel?

Yup. Still sounds like they were pretty accurate.

41 posted on 08/03/2020 9:31:38 AM PDT by Toddsterpatriot (TANSTAAFL)
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To: Toddsterpatriot
No, in fact, they weren't, but I'm not going to take another lap on the merry go round about this.

42 posted on 08/03/2020 1:43:17 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Because they downplayed the impact. Ok.


43 posted on 08/03/2020 4:19:59 PM PDT by Toddsterpatriot (TANSTAAFL)
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