2014 EC

2014 EC is a 10-meter sized, eccentric asteroid, classified as near-Earth object of the Apollo group that passed within 48,000 miles (77,000 km) of Earth in early March 2014. This was six times closer to the Earth than the Moon.[4][5] It was first observed on 5 March 2014, by the Catalina Sky Survey at Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona, United States. As of 2017, it has not since been observed.[2]

2014 EC
Discovery [1][2]
Discovered byCatalina Sky Srvy.
Discovery siteMount Lemmon Obs.
Discovery date5 March 2014
Designations
2014 EC
NEO · Apollo [1][2]
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 6
Observation arc(1 day)
Aphelion2.2257 AU
Perihelion0.6917 AU
1.4587 AU
Eccentricity0.5258
1.76 yr (644 days)
325.66°
0° 33m 33.84s / day
Inclination1.4023°
344.98°
264.04°
Earth MOID0.0005 AU · 0.2 LD
Physical characteristics
Dimensions7 m (estimate at 0.20)[3]
10 m[4]
28.2[1]

    Description

    2014 EC has only been observed on two nights for a period of less than 48 hours, with a remaining orbital uncertainty of 4 and 6 respectively.[1][2] It orbits the Sun at a distance of 0.7–2.2 AU once every 21 months (644 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.53 and an inclination of 1° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

    The asteroid has an Earth minimum orbital intersection distance of 0.0005 AU (74,800 km) which translates into less than 0.2 lunar distances.[1]

    Based on a generic magnitude-to diameter conversion, 2014 EC measures 7 meters in diameter, for a measured absolute magnitude of 28.2 and an assumed albedo of 0.2, which is typical value for stony S-type asteroids.[3] Other sources estimated the body to be approximately 10 meters or 30 feet across.[4] It is too small for being a potentially hazardous asteroid, which require an absolute magnitude of 22.0 or less.[6]

    See also

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2014 EC)" (2014-03-06 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
    2. "2014 EC". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
    3. "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS/JPL. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
    4. "Even tinier asteroid 2014 EC flies just 48,000 miles from Earth tomorrow". Astro Bob. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
    5. Mike Wall (6 March 2014). "Small Asteroid Gives Earth a Close Shave, 3rd in 2 Days". Space.com. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
    6. "Glossary – PHA (Potentially Hazardous Asteroid)". CNEOS/JPL. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
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