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. Continue reading “Asteroid 2012 DA14 passes very close to earth on Friday February 15,2013”