Space
Asteroid Buzzed Earth Hours After Its Discovery
Rosanna Singh
First Posted: Nov 20, 2015 02:44 PM EST
Just hours after its discovery, an asteroid passed very close to the earth, where it almost gave the earth a buzz cut.
The small space rock was identified as Asteroid 2015 VY105, and was moving at a speed of more than 39,000 miles per hour (62,000 km/h), according to a news release. The Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona made the detection, where the asteroid was spotted over the Pacific Ocean on Nov. 15.
In a close proximity, Asteroid 2015 VY105 was about 21,000 miles away (34,000 km) from the earth. This is closer than television and weather satellites, which orbit the earth 36,000 km (22,300 miles) above the surface. It is approximately 10 to 30 feet (3 to 9 meters) in size.
Asteroid 2015 VY105 was first discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona and the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center announced its discovery. It is classified as an Apollo type, which are asteroids that interrupts the earth's orbit.
Due to its relatively small size, the asteroid caused no harm. Even if it had fallen into the earth's atmosphere, it would probably have disintegrated from air friction. Also, possible meteor effects from asteroid 2015 VY105 would have likely occurred over the seas, since 70 percent of the earth is covered in oceans.
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TagsSolar System, space, Asteroid, Exoplanets, Planet, Astronomers, astronomy, Space Weather, Astronauts, astronomical observations ©2024 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.
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First Posted: Nov 20, 2015 02:44 PM EST
Just hours after its discovery, an asteroid passed very close to the earth, where it almost gave the earth a buzz cut.
The small space rock was identified as Asteroid 2015 VY105, and was moving at a speed of more than 39,000 miles per hour (62,000 km/h), according to a news release. The Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona made the detection, where the asteroid was spotted over the Pacific Ocean on Nov. 15.
In a close proximity, Asteroid 2015 VY105 was about 21,000 miles away (34,000 km) from the earth. This is closer than television and weather satellites, which orbit the earth 36,000 km (22,300 miles) above the surface. It is approximately 10 to 30 feet (3 to 9 meters) in size.
Asteroid 2015 VY105 was first discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona and the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center announced its discovery. It is classified as an Apollo type, which are asteroids that interrupts the earth's orbit.
Due to its relatively small size, the asteroid caused no harm. Even if it had fallen into the earth's atmosphere, it would probably have disintegrated from air friction. Also, possible meteor effects from asteroid 2015 VY105 would have likely occurred over the seas, since 70 percent of the earth is covered in oceans.
Related Articles
Stormy Space Weather Impacts Electricity In Equator Regions
Tiny Red Dwarf Star More Powerful Than The Sun
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone