In recent news, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has projected that the asteroid known as ‘2001 FO32’ will be the largest to pass by Earth in 2021. The closest approach of this asteroid is expected on 21st March. This event will present an uncommon opportunity for astronomers to closely study a stony relic that was formed at the genesis of our solar system.
Core Aspects About the 2001 FO32 Asteroid
The discovery of the 2001 FO32 asteroid took place two decades ago. Since its discovery, scientists have been accurately tracking its orbital path around the Sun. In March 2001, the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program in Socorro, New Mexico, first identified it. The last notably large asteroid, 1998 OR2, passed close to Earth on April 29, 2020. Although the 2001 FO32 asteroid is somewhat smaller than its predecessor, it will be thrice as near to Earth.
The Asteroid’s Orbit
The asteroid 2001 FO32 is known to be in a highly eccentric orbit around the Sun. It completes one complete orbit every 810 days, which equates to roughly 2¼ years. This orbit is inclined at an angle of 39° to Earth’s orbital plane. The path takes the asteroid closer to the Sun than Mercury and twice as far from the Sun as Mars.
Asteroid Speed
The speed of the 2001 FO32 asteroid when passing by Earth is estimated to be around 124,000 kph. This speed is higher than the typical speeds of most asteroids that encounter Earth. This unusual speed of the asteroid is attributed to its close approach to the earth.
No Collision Risk
The closest approach of the near-Earth asteroid 2001 FO32 will be at a distance of approximately 2 million kilometers or 5 1/4 times the distance from Earth to the Moon. Despite this being a close distance in astronomical terms, there’s no imminent threat of a collision with our planet.
Next Close Approach
The next close approach of this asteroid to Earth isn’t expected until 2052 when it will pass by at roughly seven lunar distances or approximately 2.8 million km.
Significance of the Asteroid
The approaching asteroid 2001 FO32 provides a chance for astronomers to enhance their understanding of its size and albedo, which is the measure of how reflective its surface is. It also helps them get a rough idea of its composition.
Other asteroids that have been in news include Asteroid 2020 ND 163348 (2002 NN4), Asteroid 2018VP1, Asteroid 16 Psyche, and Asteroid Bennu.
Asteroids
Asteroids are small bodies in the solar system that orbit the Sun. They comprise metals and rocks and possess shorter, elliptical orbits.
Classification of Asteroids
Main Asteroid Belt: The majority of known asteroids orbit within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Trojans: These asteroids share an orbit with a larger planet, with gravitational pulls from the sun and the planet balanced at two special points in the orbit.
Near-Earth Asteroids: These objects have orbits that pass close by Earth. Asteroids that actually cross Earth’s orbital path are known as Earth-crossers.
Potentially Hazardous Asteroids
An asteroid is considered potentially hazardous if it can make threatening close approaches to the Earth.
