2014 UR116

2014 UR116 (also known as 2008 XB) is an asteroid categorized as a near-Earth object and potentially hazardous asteroid with a diameter of roughly 400 meters (1,300 ft).[1] On 21 October 2014, the asteroid passed 0.0854 AU (12,780,000 km; 7,940,000 mi) from Earth.[2] On 10 April 2047, the asteroid will safely pass 0.0296 AU (4,430,000 km; 2,750,000 mi) from Earth.[2]

Although some inaccurate press reports have suggested that it may pose an impact risk to Earth, the NASA/JPL Near Earth Object Program Office reported that it poses no risk of impact to any planet for at least 150 years.[1][3] Between 1904 and 2174, the closest approach it makes to any planet was on 9 June 2008 when it passed 0.0144 AU (2,150,000 km; 1,340,000 mi) from Mars.[2] The asteroid has never been listed on the Sentry Risk Table and has a well determined orbit with an observation arc of 6 years.[2]

Discovery

The asteroid was first detected (also see precovery) on 1 December 2008 by the Mount Lemmon Survey and received the provisional designation 2008 XB.[4] However, at an apparent magnitude of 20 and an assumed orbital eccentricity of 0.3, the object had a very short observation arc of less than 2 hours and 2008 XB became a lost minor planet.[5] It was only recovered as 2014 UR116 on 27 October 2014 by observers at the MASTER-II observatory in Kislovodsk, Russia. The body is now known to have an eccentricity of 0.72.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Yeomans, Don; Baalke, Ron (8 December 2014). "Asteroid 2014 UR116, A 400-meter Sized Near-Earth Asteroid, Represents No Threat to the Earth". NASA/JPL Near-Earth Object Program Office. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "JPL Close-Approach Data: (2014 UR116)" (last observation: 11 December 2014; arc: 6 years). Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "NASA Says Asteroid 2014 UR116 Is Nothing to Be Afraid Of". NBC News. 9 December 2014.
  4. ↑ "2014 UR116 = 2008 XB Orbit". IAU Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  5. ↑ "MPEC 2008-X16 : 2008 XB". IAU Minor Planet Center. 1 December 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2014. (K08X00B)

External links

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