Near-Earth Asteroid 2012 DA14 to Travel Between Earth and Satellites on February 15
Posted on January 4, 2013
Wolf Blitzer and CNN meteorologist Chad Myers discuss Near-Earth asteroid 2012 DA14 in this video. NASA says the asteroid 2012 DA14 will pass within about 3.5 Earth radii of the Earth's surface on February 15, 2013. It will pass inside the geosynchronous satellite ring, located about 35,800 kilometers (21,748 miles) above the equator.
The impact energy is listed as 2.41 megatons of TNT. Fortunately, NASA says this asteroid is not Earth bound. The asteroid rates as a 0 on the Torino Scale impact hazard scale.
At its closest approach, Myers says the asteroid could be as close as 14,000 miles from the Earth. The small asteroid is estimated to be about 45 meters (about 150 feet) across. It is not likely to collide with any satellites. However, passing close to the Earth could cause the asteroid's orbit to change and bring it closer to Earth - or father away from Earth - on its next visit. Take a look:
- Fossil of Giant Freshwater Turtle Discovered
- Hubble Observes Stormy Weather on Jupiter
- Australian Spider Named After Marvel's Venom
- NASA's JWST Captures New Views of NGC 604
- Ancient Giant Sea Lizard Had Dagger-Like Teeth