Asteroid 2012 DA14 passes very close to earth on Friday February 15,2013

Asteroid 2012 D14

2012 DA14 is a near-Earth asteroid with an estimated diameter of about 50 meters (160 ft) and an estimated mass of about 190,000 metric tons. It was discovered on February 23, 2012, by the OAM Observatory, La Sagra in Spain seven days after passing 0.0174 AU (2,600,000 km; 1,620,000 mi) from Earth on February 16. Calculations show that on February 15, 2013, the distance between the asteroid and the center-point of Earth will be 0.000228 AU (34,100 km; 21,200 mi). The asteroid will pass 27,700 km (17,200 mi) from the surface of Earth. The 2013 passage of 2012 DA14 by Earth is a record close approach for a known object of this size.

The asteroid will be too faint to see with the naked eye, although it will be visible through binoculars or a telescope.

During the closest approach, and dependent on local weather, the asteroid will be visible from parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. The asteroid will appear to be moving relatively quickly as it crosses the sky from the south to the north.

From where can you see the Astroid 2012 D14?

Animated visibility map for asteroid 2012 DA14 between 18:00 and 21:30 GMT. The asteroid will be visible from green areas. Image: Geert Barentsen

Where to look in the sky ?

The Chart below gives an estimation where the Asteroid 2012 D14 will be in the sky and at what time, the times mentioned are in GMT . Click here for a larger version. Credit: University of Hertfordshire

Time of passage:

You can see 2012 DA14 passing between 6pm (18:00) and 10pm (22:00) GMT time (Check Image)

Will it effect the Earth? 

  • The asteroid will not impact Earth on February 15, 2013. it might ( very low probability ) effect some satellites.
  • There is a cumulative 0.0000036% risk (1 in 27,778,000) of 2012 DA14 impacting Earth between 2080 and 2106.

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