2009 DD45
Template:Downsize 2009 DD45 is a small Apollo asteroid[1] that passed near Earth at an altitude of 63,500 km (39,457 miles) on 2 March 2009 at 13:44 UTC. It was discovered by Australian astronomers on 27 February 2009, only three days before its closest approach to the Earth.[2][3] Its estimated diameter is between 21 and 47 meters.[1] This is about the same size as a hypothetical object that could have caused the Tunguska event in 1908.[4]
BBC News Online cites the minimum distance as 72,000 km (44,750 miles) (about 1/5 lunar distances).[4] 2009 DD45 passed farther away (40 thousand miles versus 4 thousand miles) but was substantially larger than 2004 FU162, a small asteroid about 6m (20ft) across which came within about 6,500km (4,000 miles) in 2004,[4] and is more similar in size to 2004 FH. Some scientists speculate that this asteroid could return because of the Earth's gravitational pull.[5]
References
- ^ a b "JPL Small-Body Database Browser (2009 DD45)". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 2009-03-02. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ Kelly Beatty (2009 March 01). "Space Rock 2009 DD45 Buzzes Earth". Sky & Telescope.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Victoria Jaggard (2009 March 02). "Surprise Asteroid Just Buzzed Earth". National Geographic Society.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c "Space rock makes close approach". BBC News Online. 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
- ^ Ben Sandilands (2009 March 02). "Sky Not Falling, Just Passing Quite Close".
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- 2009 DD45 at the JPL Small-Body Database
- Universe Today article on 2009 DD45
- 100 meter asteroid will pass Earth Monday!, Phil Plait's Bad Astronomy blog
- NEO Asteroid 2009 DD45 from Canberra on YouTube
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