Jump to content

2009 VA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2009 VA
Discovery
Discovered byCatalina Sky Survey
Discovery date6 November 2009
Designations
none
Apollo (NEO)
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 6 November 2009 (JD 2455141.5)
Uncertainty parameter 8
Aphelion1.9382 AU (289.95 Gm)
Perihelion0.91768 AU (137.283 Gm)
1.4280 AU (213.63 Gm)
Eccentricity0.35735
1.71 yr (623.26 d)
338.95°
0° 34m 39.396s /day
Inclination7.5411°
224.54°
223.99°
Earth MOID0.000130811 AU (19,569.0 km)
Jupiter MOID3.30322 AU (494.155 Gm)
Physical characteristics
Dimensions7 m
28.6

2009 VA is an asteroid that came within 14,000 kilometres (8,700 mi) of Earth on 6 November 2009 making it the third closest non-impacting approach of a cataloged asteroid.[2]

The trajectory of the object as it passed Earth

With a diameter of only 7 metres (23 ft), scientists think that even if it had been on a direct collision course with Earth, it would have likely burned up in the atmosphere.[3] The space rock made its pass by Earth just fifteen hours after its discovery.[4]

The asteroid was first discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey at the University of Arizona. It was determined that the object would make a pass well within the orbit of the Moon, but would not strike Earth. The object passed so close to Earth that its orbit was modified by Earth's gravity.[4]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2009 VA)". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  2. ^ "Small Asteroid 2009 VA Whizzes By Earth". Science Daily. Archived from the original on 15 November 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  3. ^ Small Asteroid Spotted Flying Close To Earth Archived 3 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine, redorbit.com, 11 November 2009
  4. ^ a b Alan Boyle. "Space rock buzzes past Earth". MSNBC. Archived from the original on 14 November 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
[edit]