On February 3, a large asteroid was observed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as it passed ineffectually by Earth. The asteroid designated 2011 AG5 is roughly 1,600 feet (500 meters) in length and 500 feet (150 meters) in width, making it roughly the size of the Empire State Building.
NASA Closely Observed Asteroid
The asteroid was first detected in 2011, but a more current approach allowed scientists to closely monitor and track the object, allowing them to make crucial observations about its size, spin, and shape.
The asteroid was one of the most elongated of the 1,040 near-Earth objects seen by planetary radar, according to the observations made with the Goldstone Solar System Radar antenna dish in California.
A report from Phys.org tells us that fresh NASA observations have also revealed new information on the asteroid's surface, including a massive, broad concavity on one of its hemispheres and subtle dark and lighter patches that may represent small-scale surface characteristics.
When observed with the naked eye, the asteroid would look as dark as charcoal. In addition, the observations showed that the asteroid rotates slowly, taking nine hours to complete one cycle.
Here's how NASA observes near-earth asteroids:
Oblongated Asteroids are Rare
"Of the 1,040 near-Earth objects observed by planetary radar to date, this is one of the most elongated we've seen," said Lance Benner, a JPL principal scientist who contributed to the observations.
In 2017, NASA announced the discovery of 1I/2017 U1 (Oumuamua), the first object spotted in our solar system that originated in another solar system. Back then, scientists were perplexed by 1I/2017's unusually elongated shape, as none of the known asteroids or comets in our solar system have a similar shape.
The object's length is estimated to be at least 400 meters or the size of a standard track field.
Revealing the Asteroid's Orbit Around the Sun
In addition, the observations provide a crucial assessment of 2011 AG5's orbit around the sun, enabling NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) to refine the asteroid's orbital path.
The asteroid orbits the sun once every 621 days. It is not predicted to make a close approach to Earth until 2040 when it will pass at a distance of approximately 670,000 miles (1.1 million kilometers), or roughly three times the distance between Earth and the Moon.
Is there a Chance for the Asteroid to Hit Earth?
Interestingly, Paul Chodas, JPL's director for CNEOS, has stated that after its discovery, 2011 AG5 was deemed a potential worry due to the low possibility of future impact.
Nonetheless, ongoing observations have ruled out the chance of an effect, and the latest ranging measurements from the planetary radar team will help to refine the asteroid's future path.
The CNEOS analyses every known near-Earth asteroid orbit to assess potential impact dangers. The Goldstone Solar System Radar Group and CNEOS are supported by NASA's Near-Earth Object Observations Program, which is part of the Planetary Defense Coordination Office at the agency's headquarters in Washington. Read more about CNEOS and NASA's Asteroid Watch here.
