NASA's Planetary Radar Catches Slowly Spinning Stadium-Size Asteroid

NASA's planetary radar recently captured detailed images of a slowly spinning asteroid, providing valuable insights into its size, rotation, and surface characteristics.

Slowly Spinning Asteroid 2008 OS7

The asteroid, named 2008 OS7, made a close approach to Earth on February 2, passing by at a safe distance of approximately 1.8 million miles (2.9 million kilometers).

Utilizing the agency's Deep Space Network planetary radar, scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California were able to observe 2008 OS7 in unprecedented detail.

According to NASA, the asteroid was found on July 30, 2008, during routine searches for NEOs conducted by the NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey, based at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Subsequent observations revealed that it measured roughly 650 to 1,640 feet (200 and 500 meters) wide and rotated relatively slowly, completing one rotation every 29 ½ hours.

Petr Pravec, at the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Ondřejov, Czech Republic, determined the rotational period of 2008 OS7.

He studied the asteroid's light curve, which shows how its brightness changes over time. Changes in the asteroid's shape alter the brightness of reflected light, which astronomers record to understand its rotation period.

Radar Images of 2008 OS7

The radar images revealed a surface characterized by a combination of rounded and angular features, with some regions exhibiting small concavities. Additionally, scientists were able to refine their estimates of the asteroid's size, determining it to be between 500 to 650 feet (150 to 200 meters) wide.

Furthermore, the radar observations provided crucial measurements of the asteroid's distance from Earth during its close approach. These measurements aid in refining calculations of 2008 OS7's orbital path around the Sun, contributing to our understanding of its trajectory and potential future encounters with Earth.

Despite being classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid due to its proximity to Earth's orbit and size, the recent close approach of 2008 OS7 posed no threat to our planet.

However, its observation highlights the importance of continued efforts to detect and track near-Earth objects, particularly those that could pose significant risks if they impact Earth's surface.

NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), managed by JPL, plays a crucial role in monitoring and assessing the orbits of near-Earth objects. While the agency tracks objects of all sizes, it focuses particularly on those larger than 460 feet (140 meters), as mandated by Congress, to mitigate potential impact hazards.