2009 VA

2009 VA
Discovery
Discovered by Catalina Sky Survey
Discovery date November 6, 2009
Designations
none
Apollo (NEO)
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 6 November 2009 (JD 2455141.5)
Uncertainty parameter 8
Aphelion 1.9382 AU (289.95 Gm)
Perihelion 0.91768 AU (137.283 Gm)
1.4280 AU (213.63 Gm)
Eccentricity 0.35735
1.71 yr (623.26 d)
338.95°
0° 34m 39.396s /day
Inclination 7.5411°
224.54°
223.99°
Earth MOID 0.000130811 AU (19,569.0 km)
Jupiter MOID 3.30322 AU (494.155 Gm)
Physical characteristics
Dimensions 7 m
28.6

    2009 VA is an asteroid that came within 14,000 kilometres (8,700 mi) of Earth on November 6, 2009 making it the 3rd closest non-impacting approach of a cataloged asteroid.[2]

    The trajectory of the object as it passed Earth

    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 2009-11-11.
    3. ↑ Small Asteroid Spotted Flying Close To Earth, redorbit.com, November 11, 2009
    4. 1 2 Alan Boyle. "Space rock buzzes past Earth". MSNBC. Archived from the original on 14 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-11.


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