2009 VA

2009 VA is an asteroid that came within 14,000 kilometres (8,700 mi) of Earth on 6 November 2009 making it the third closest non-impacting approach of a cataloged asteroid.[2]

The trajectory of the object as it passed Earth
2009 VA
Discovery
Discovered byCatalina Sky Survey
Discovery date6 November 2009
Designations
none
Apollo (NEO)
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 6 November 2009 (JD 2455141.5)
Uncertainty parameter 8
Aphelion1.9382 AU (289.95 Gm)
Perihelion0.91768 AU (137.283 Gm)
1.4280 AU (213.63 Gm)
Eccentricity0.35735
1.71 yr (623.26 d)
338.95°
0° 34m 39.396s /day
Inclination7.5411°
224.54°
223.99°
Earth MOID0.000130811 AU (19,569.0 km)
Jupiter MOID3.30322 AU (494.155 Gm)
Physical characteristics
Dimensions7 m
28.6

    With a diameter of only 7 metres (23 ft), scientists think that even if it had been on a direct collision course with Earth, it would have likely burned up in the atmosphere.[3] The space rock made its pass by Earth just fifteen hours after its discovery.[4]

    The asteroid was first discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey at the University of Arizona. It was determined that the object would make a pass well within the orbit of the Moon, but would not strike Earth. The object passed so close to Earth that its orbit was modified by Earth's gravity.[4]

    See also

    References

    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2009 VA)". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
    2. "Small Asteroid 2009 VA Whizzes By Earth". Science Daily. Archived from the original on 15 November 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
    3. Small Asteroid Spotted Flying Close To Earth, redorbit.com, 11 November 2009
    4. Alan Boyle. "Space rock buzzes past Earth". MSNBC. Archived from the original on 14 November 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2009.


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