According to NASA, 138971 (2001 CB21) is a small asteroid whose orbit extends beyond Earth’s orbit. Jet Propulsion Laboratory of the US space agency (JPL) Is classified as a “dangerous asteroid” because it is predicted to pass close to Earth.
For NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies, this classification is defined based on the parameters that measure an asteroid’s potential to create Earth – threatening approaches.
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In other words, asteroids with a diameter of 0.05 au (approximately 7,480,000 km) or less than 140 m are not considered PHA (potentially dangerous asteroids).
In the case Asteroid 2001 CB21 orbits the Sun every 384 days. Depending on its brightness and the way it reflects light, it is estimated to be 0.560 to 1,253 km in diameter.It is about 97% larger than the asteroids, but smaller than the larger asteroids.
Even so, owning one is still beyond the reach of the average NASA observer. In fact, according to spacereference.orgA website that collects NASA data on asteroids, which can be compared to the Golden Gate Bridge.
(such as: It is the largest bacterium ever found)
However, the orbit of 2001 CB21 is at its closest point, 0.02 AU (approximately three million kilometers) from Earth’s orbit. For NASA, this is a matter of concern according to its potential classification, but it does mean that there is always a vast space between this asteroid and our planet.
On March 4, the asteroid will have one of the 21 next approaches planned for the coming decades. It will travel at a speed of 12 kilometers per second and cover a distance of about five million kilometers.
After this it will have to wait until September 29, 2026 for another approach, however this time it will cross eight million kilometers.
If you want to follow next Friday’s approach, visit the website Virtual Telescope Project Prepare an event following the passage of the asteroid 2001 CB21.
Science
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