The 1998 OR2 asteroid will pass by Earth, and its geological features make scientists joke that it’s equipped to go near the Earth. The mile-wide asteroid poses no danger, and its features make it look like the asteroid is wearing a face mask! The asteroid was first spotted in 1998, and scientists will continue to track it to see how it will move beyond 2020, as The Guardian details:
“The small-scale topographic features such as hills and ridges on one end of asteroid 1998 OR2 are fascinating scientifically,” said Dr Anne Virkki, head of planetary radar at the observatory.
“But since we are all thinking about Covid-19 these features make it look like 1998 OR2 remembered to wear a mask.”
The asteroid is classed as a PHO (potentially hazardous object) because it is bigger than 140 metres and will come within five million miles of Earth’s orbit, but no known PHO poses an immediate danger to the planet.
“The radar measurements allow us to know more precisely where the asteroid will be in the future, including its future close approaches to Earth,” said Flaviane Venditti, a research scientist at the observatory.
“In 2079, asteroid 1998 OR2 will pass Earth about 3.5 times closer than it will this year, so it is important to know its orbit precisely.”
The team started observations on 13 April.
“Although this asteroid is not projected to impact Earth, it is important to understand the characteristics of these types of objects to improve impact-risk mitigation technologies,” Dr Virkki added.
image via The Guardian
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well hopefully its n95 certified
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