Tiny Asteroid Buzzes by Earth in Closest Flyby on Record

Aug 20, 2020 | Asteroids, Daily Space, Earth

IMAGE: This is the first image of Asteroid 2020 QG, captured by Caltech’s Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) after the asteroid’s closest approach to Earth at a distance of 1,830 miles above the planet’s surface. The asteroid shows up as a streak because it is closer than the background stars, and zipped past ZTF’s camera. CREDIT: ZTF/Caltech Optical Observatories

Of course, when we talk about extinction events, everyone immediately thinks of dinosaurs and giant asteroids. Which is why our next story has been a question on our show several times this week.

Over the weekend, an asteroid formerly known as ZTF0DxQ was discovered by the Zwicky Transient Facility. Several other telescopes were able to do quick follow-up observations and confirmed the size and trajectory of the asteroid. Unfortunately, it was discovered after it had already zipped by Earth. Fortunately, it’s only about the size of an SUV, so it wouldn’t have caused any damage. It came within 3,000 kilometers of Earth, making it the closest known asteroid to miss Earth.

Since the tiny visitor was confirmed by multiple observatories, it is now known as 2020 QG, which, let’s be honest, isn’t much better of a name.

More Information

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory press release 

Caltech press release 

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