The year 2020 is clearly out to make its mark in a big way: a global pandemic, massive wildfires across the Western United States, huge demonstrations for social justice around the globe.
Here’s another one: a record observed near-miss of Earth by a rock from space.
On Aug. 15, at 9:08 p.m. PDT, the robotic sky-scanning survey telescope at the NSF/NASA-funded Zwicky Transient Facility at Palomar Observatory in California captured an image of a previously unknown asteroid, 10-20 feet in diameter, whizzing by Earth at a speed of 8 miles per second. The image was taken only six hours after the rock’s closest approach, 1,830 miles from Earth’s surface over the southern Indian Ocean, closer than any previously known near-Earth asteroid, or NEA.
A student in India, examining images captured by the ZTF telescope in California, first spotted and reported the object.
Source: KQED
3
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
3 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.8 miles a second, whee. A bit slower and that thing would have been pulled in to the atmosphere. Btw there are rocks smaller than that that do enter the atmosphere and It's a problem for people who monitor nuclear explosions as they mimic them.
starwatcher-al
Level 7
Sep 12, 2020
1
Being 2020, I am surprised it didn't hit us!
Hathacat
Level 9
Sep 12, 2020
2
Wasn't in god's plan. (sorry).
Recent Visitors 11
starwatcher-al
Near Prescott, Az,
Hathacat
IL, USA
yvilletom
CA, USA
desertastronomer
Indio Hills, Ca.,
Charlene
Brookline Ma,
Photos 424 More
Posted by starwatcher-alThe occultation of Mars on the 7th.
Posted by starwatcher-alThe occultation of Mars on the 7th.
Posted by starwatcher-alSolar minimum was in 2019 so the sun is ramping up in flares, spots and prominences.
Posted by starwatcher-alI missed the early phases of the eclipse but the clouds mostly left during totality. All in all a great eclipse. Next one is Nov. 8-22
Posted by starwatcher-alI missed the early phases of the eclipse but the clouds mostly left during totality. All in all a great eclipse. Next one is Nov. 8-22
Posted by RobecologyFor those following the JWST.
Posted by AnonySchmoose The post-launch set-up of the new James Webb telescope has gone very well.
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken with Stellina (80 mm): M33 Triangulum Galaxy M1 Crab Nebula NGC281 Pacman Nebula in Cassiopeia NGC 6992 Veil Nebula in Cygnus
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken with Stellina (80 mm): M33 Triangulum Galaxy M1 Crab Nebula NGC281 Pacman Nebula in Cassiopeia NGC 6992 Veil Nebula in Cygnus
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken with Stellina (80 mm): M33 Triangulum Galaxy M1 Crab Nebula NGC281 Pacman Nebula in Cassiopeia NGC 6992 Veil Nebula in Cygnus
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken with Stellina (80 mm): M33 Triangulum Galaxy M1 Crab Nebula NGC281 Pacman Nebula in Cassiopeia NGC 6992 Veil Nebula in Cygnus
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken October 2nd 2021 with Stellina 1.
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken October 2nd 2021 with Stellina 1.
Posted by HumanistJohnImages taken October 2nd 2021 with Stellina 1.
Posted by starwatcher-al Did you know that you can see Venus in the daytime?
Posted by starwatcher-alOne of these days I think that I'll figure out this Nikon.
Members 731Top
Moderator
Related GroupsMore
HARRIS / WALZ Fanatics
38 members
Introverts Unite!
2014 members
Critical thinking
667 members
Minnesota
59 members
At Retirement!
93 members
Progressives, Socialists, and Black/Palestinian Lives Matter
2457 members
Women's Empowerment
147 members
Conservative Bashers And Progressive Pushers
127 members