Asteroid passes near Earth
Posted: Tue, Jan 29, 2008, 5:08 AM ET (1008 GMT)
A small asteroid flew relatively near the Earth early Tuesday, providing scientists with an opportunity to study the object in detail. The asteroid 2007 TU24 made its closest approach to the Earth at 3:33 am EST (0833 GMT) Tuesday at a distance of about 538,000 kilometers, or about one and a half times the distance to the Moon. The asteroid, estimated to be about 250 meters in diameter, was discovered last October. The asteroid poses no impact risk to the Earth, and will not pass this close to the Earth again until at least the end of the century. Astronomers planned to use the flyby to study to make optical and radar observations of the asteroid.
A small asteroid flew relatively near the Earth early Tuesday, providing scientists with an opportunity to study the object in detail. The asteroid 2007 TU24 made its closest approach to the Earth at 3:33 am EST (0833 GMT) Tuesday at a distance of about 538,000 kilometers, or about one and a half times the distance to the Moon. The asteroid, estimated to be about 250 meters in diameter, was discovered last October. The asteroid poses no impact risk to the Earth, and will not pass this close to the Earth again until at least the end of the century. Astronomers planned to use the flyby to study to make optical and radar observations of the asteroid.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, July 4
Coolest spacecraft ever in orbit around L2
ESA — 4:24 am ET (0824 GMT) Moonwalker Aldrin says we should colonise Mars
The Herald — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) Interest in space memorabilia takes a leap
Financial Times — 4:22 am ET (0822 GMT) Evidence mounts that Mars was once habitable
Arizona Republic — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) First Moon images sent back by Nasa orbiter show incredible details just 10ft across
The Daily Mail — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) |