Time of discovery of asteroids which came closer to Earth than the Moon in 2020 | ||
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Asteroid discoverers by count |
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Prediction accuracy for asteroids of magnitude 27 or larger predicted to pass within 1 lunar distance of Earth in 2020[note 1] |
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Below is the list of asteroid close approaches to Earth in 2020.
Timeline of known close approaches less than one lunar distance from Earth
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/1998_OR2_Radar.gif/130px-1998_OR2_Radar.gif)
A list of known near-Earth asteroid close approaches less than 1 lunar distance (0.0025696 AU (384,410 km; 238,860 mi)) from Earth in 2020.[note 2]
For reference, the radius of Earth is about 0.0000426 AU (6,370 km; 3,960 mi) or 0.0166 lunar distances. Geosynchronous satellites have an orbit with semi-major axis length of 0.000282 AU (42,200 km; 26,200 mi) or 0.110 lunar distances. A number of known asteroids came closer than this in 2020, notably 2020 CW, 2020 JJ, 2020 QG, and 2020 VT4 which all approached Earth within 0.05 lunar distances.
Two objects have been observed to be temporary satellites of Earth: 2020 CD3 in February 2020 and 2020 SO in September 2020, albeit the latter has been confirmed to be a rocket booster from the Surveyor 2 mission launched in 1966.[1]
The largest asteroid to pass within 1 LD of Earth in 2020 was 2020 LD with an estimated diameter of around 145 meters and an absolute magnitude of 22.4. The fastest asteroid to pass within 1 LD of Earth in 2020 was 2020 FD2 that passed Earth with a velocity with respect to Earth of 33.4 km/s (75,000 mph).[2][note 3]
Rows highlighted red indicate objects which were not discovered until after closest approach
Rows highlighted yellow indicate objects discovered less than 24 hours before closest approach
Rows highlighted green indicate objects discovered more than one week before closest approach
Rows highlighted turquoise indicate objects discovered more than 7 weeks before closest approach
Rows highlighted blue indicate objects discovered more than one year before closest approach (i.e.
objects successfully cataloged on a previous orbit, rather than being detected during final approach)
Date of closest approach |
Date discovered |
Object | Nominal geocentric distance[note 4] | Approx. size (m) |
(H) (abs. mag) |
Closer approach to Moon[note 5] |
References[3][4] | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(AU) | (Lunar distance) | |||||||
2020-01-02 | 2020-01-04 | 2020 AP1 | 0.002185 AU (326,900 km; 203,100 mi) | 0.85 | 3.2–7.1 | 29.6 | ✓ | data · 2020 AP1 |
2020-01-20 | 2020-01-22 | 2020 BK3 | 0.001998 AU (298,900 km; 185,700 mi) | 0.78 | 11–24 | 27 | — | data · 2020 BK3 |
2020-01-22 | 2020-01-23 | 2020 BB5 | 0.001775 AU (265,500 km; 165,000 mi) | 0.69 | 3.1–6.9 | 29.8 | — | data · 2020 BB5 |
2020-01-25 | 2020-01-24 | 2020 BH6 | 0.000469 AU (70,200 km; 43,600 mi) | 0.18 | 5.2–12 | 28.5 | — | data · 2020 BH6 |
2020-01-27 | 2020-01-28 | 2020 BA13 | 0.001320 AU (197,500 km; 122,700 mi) | 0.51 | 4.6–10 | 29 | — | data · 2020 BA13 |
2020-01-28 | 2020-01-30 | 2020 BA15 | 0.002517 AU (376,500 km; 234,000 mi) | 0.98 | 9–20 | 27.5 | ✓ | data · 2020 BA15 |
2020-01-29 | 2020-01-28 | 2020 BZ13 | 0.000716 AU (107,100 km; 66,600 mi) | 0.28 | 2.9–6.5 | 29.9 | — | data · 2020 BZ13 |
2020-01-31 | 2020-02-02 | 2020 CZ | 0.002105 AU (314,900 km; 195,700 mi) | 0.82 | 3.7–8.2 | 29.4 | — | data · 2020 CZ |
2020-01-31 | 2020-02-02 | 2020 CJ | 0.002362 AU (353,400 km; 219,600 mi) | 0.92 | 11–25 | 27 | ✓ | data · 2020 CJ |
2020-02-01 | 2020-02-01 | 2020 CW | 0.000105 AU (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) | 0.04 | 0.83–1.9 | 32.6 | — | data · 2020 CW |
2020-02-02 | 2020-02-01 | 2020 CA | 0.001465 AU (219,200 km; 136,200 mi) | 0.57 | 3.2–7.2 | 29.4 | — | data · 2020 CA |
2020-02-03 | 2020-01-31 | 2020 BT14 | 0.001256 AU (187,900 km; 116,800 mi) | 0.49 | 7.5–17 | 27.8 | — | data · 2020 BT14 |
2020-02-04 | 2020-02-05 | 2020 CQ1 | 0.000431 AU (64,500 km; 40,100 mi) | 0.17 | 4.6–10 | 28.8 | — | data · 2020 CQ1 |
2020-02-13 | 2020-02-16 | 2020 DU | 0.002172 AU (324,900 km; 201,900 mi) | 0.85 | 4.9–11 | 28.7 | ✓ | data · 2020 DU |
2020-02-13 | 2020-02-15 | 2020 CD3 | 0.000315 AU (47,100 km; 29,300 mi) | 0.12 | 1.2–2.8 | 31.7 | — | data · 2020 CD3 |
2020-02-14 | 2020-02-15 | 2020 CQ2 | 0.000990 AU (148,100 km; 92,000 mi) | 0.39 | 5–11 | 28.7 | — | data · 2020 CQ2 |
2020-02-18 | 2020-02-17 | 2020 DA1 | 0.001294 AU (193,600 km; 120,300 mi) | 0.50 | 3–6.7 | 29.7 | — | data · 2020 DA1 |
2020-02-18 | 2020-02-16 | 2020 DW | 0.001612 AU (241,200 km; 149,800 mi) | 0.63 | 2.3–5.1 | 30.3 | — | data · 2020 DW |
2020-02-25 | 2020-02-27 | 2020 DR4 | 0.000622 AU (93,000 km; 57,800 mi) | 0.24 | 3–6.8 | 29.7 | — | data · 2020 DR4 |
2020-03-14 | 2020-03-17 | 2020 FD2 | 0.002190 AU (327,600 km; 203,600 mi) | 0.85 | 19–43 | 25.7 | — | data · 2020 FD2 |
2020-03-18 | 2020-03-16 | 2020 FD | 0.001715 AU (256,600 km; 159,400 mi) | 0.67 | 7.9–18 | 27.6 | ✓ | data · 2020 FD |
2020-03-19 | 2020-03-23 | 2020 FG4 | 0.001262 AU (188,800 km; 117,300 mi) | 0.49 | 10–23 | 27.1 | — | data · 2020 FG4 |
2020-03-22 | 2020-03-19 | 2020 FL2 | 0.000987 AU (147,700 km; 91,700 mi) | 0.38 | 16–35 | 26.1 | — | data · 2020 FL2 |
2020-03-25 | 2020-03-24 | 2020 FJ4 | 0.001716 AU (256,700 km; 159,500 mi) | 0.67 | 3.4–7.6 | 29.5 | — | data · 2020 FJ4 |
2020-03-31 | 2020-03-31 | 2020 FB7 | 0.000521 AU (77,900 km; 48,400 mi) | 0.20 | 16–36 | 26.1 | — | data · 2020 FB7 |
2020-04-01 | 2020-04-02 | 2020 GO1 | 0.000461 AU (69,000 km; 42,900 mi) | 0.18 | 7.9–18 | 27.6 | — | data · 2020 GO1 |
2020-04-03 | 2020-04-02 | 2020 GH | 0.000837 AU (125,200 km; 77,800 mi) | 0.33 | 4.2–9.3 | 29 | — | data · 2020 GH |
2020-04-05 | 2020-04-05 | 2020 GY1 | 0.000537 AU (80,300 km; 49,900 mi) | 0.21 | 13–28 | 26.6 | — | data · 2020 GY1 |
2020-04-15 | 2020-04-16 | 2020 HO | 0.001929 AU (288,600 km; 179,300 mi) | 0.75 | 4.6–10 | 28.8 | — | data · 2020 HO |
2020-04-15 | 2020-04-11 | 2020 GH2 | 0.002401 AU (359,200 km; 223,200 mi) | 0.93 | 13–28 | 26.6 | — | data · 2020 GH2 |
2020-04-22 | 2020-04-24 | 2020 HM6 | 0.001088 AU (162,800 km; 101,100 mi) | 0.42 | 13–28 | 26.6 | ✓ | data · 2020 HM6 |
2020-04-22 | 2020-04-23 | 2020 HF5 | 0.000979 AU (146,500 km; 91,000 mi) | 0.38 | 12–27 | 26.7 | — | data · 2020 HF5 |
2020-04-22 | 2020-04-23 | 2020 HU7 | 0.000869 AU (130,000 km; 80,800 mi) | 0.34 | 3.1–7 | 29.6 | — | data · 2020 HU7 |
2020-04-24 | 2020-04-19 | 2020 HX3 | 0.001688 AU (252,500 km; 156,900 mi) | 0.66 | 9.8–22 | 27.2 | ✓ | data · 2020 HX3 |
2020-04-26 | 2020-04-27 | 2020 HT8 | 0.000986 AU (147,500 km; 91,700 mi) | 0.38 | 5.8–13 | 28.3 | — | data · 2020 HT8 |
2020-04-27 | 2020-04-22 | 2020 HP6 | 0.000841 AU (125,800 km; 78,200 mi) | 0.33 | 6.4–14 | 28.1 | — | data · 2020 HP6 |
2020-04-28 | 2020-04-27 | 2020 HS7 | 0.000286 AU (42,800 km; 26,600 mi) | 0.11 | 4.1–9.2 | 29.1 | — | data · 2020 HS7 |
2020-04-30 | 2020-05-02 | 2020 JG | 0.001429 AU (213,800 km; 132,800 mi) | 0.55 | 19–41 | 25.8 | ✓ | data · 2020 JG |
2020-05-03 | 2020-05-01 | 2020 JA | 0.001598 AU (239,100 km; 148,500 mi) | 0.62 | 9.6–21 | 27.2 | — | data · 2020 JA |
2020-05-04 | 2020-05-04 | 2020 JJ | 0.000090 AU (13,500 km; 8,400 mi) | 0.03 | 2.7–6 | 30 | — | data · 2020 JJ |
2020-05-05 | 2020-05-04 | 2020 JN | 0.001666 AU (249,200 km; 154,900 mi) | 0.65 | 9–20 | 27.4 | ✓ | data · 2020 JN |
2020-05-28 | 2020-05-26 | 2020 KF5 | 0.001652 AU (247,100 km; 153,600 mi) | 0.64 | 3.5–7.8 | 29.4 | — | data · 2020 KF5 |
2020-05-28 | 2020-05-24 | 2020 KJ4 | 0.000959 AU (143,500 km; 89,100 mi) | 0.37 | 2.8–6.2 | 29.9 | — | data · 2020 KJ4 |
2020-05-29 | 2020-05-26 | 2020 KC5 | 0.002470 AU (369,500 km; 229,600 mi) | 0.96 | 9–20 | 27.4 | — | data · 2020 KC5 |
2020-06-05 | 2020-06-07 | 2020 LD | 0.002051 AU (306,800 km; 190,700 mi) | 0.80 | 89–200 | 22.4 | — | data · 2020 LD |
2020-06-13 | 2020-06-16 | 2020 ML2 | 0.002378 AU (355,700 km; 221,000 mi) | 0.93 | 6.7–15 | 28.0 | — | data · 2020 ML2 |
2020-07-05 | 2020-07-06 | 2020 NB | 0.001193 AU (178,500 km; 110,900 mi) | 0.46 | 15–33 | 26.3 | — | data · 2020 NB |
2020-07-27 | 2020-07-26 | 2020 OY4 | 0.000278 AU (41,600 km; 25,800 mi) | 0.11 | 2.3–5.2 | 30.3 | — | data · 2020 OY4 |
2020-08-01 | 2020-08-01 | 2020 PA | 0.000387 AU (57,900 km; 36,000 mi) | 0.15 | 4.6–10 | 28.8 | — | data · 2020 PA |
2020-08-11 | 2020-08-14 | 2020 PX5 | 0.001526 AU (228,300 km; 141,900 mi) | 0.59 | 3.2–7.2 | 29.6 | — | data · 2020 PX5 |
2020-08-12 | 2020-08-22 | 2020 QJ5 | 0.001974 AU (295,300 km; 183,500 mi) | 0.77 | 12–26 | 26.8 | — | data · 2020 QJ5 |
2020-08-14 | 2020-08-14 | 2020 PW2 | 0.001867 AU (279,300 km; 173,500 mi) | 0.73 | 4.9–11 | 28.7 | — | data · 2020 PW2 |
2020-08-16 | 2020-08-16 | 2020 QG | 0.000062 AU (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) | 0.02 | 2.9–6.4 | 29.8 | — | data · 2020 QG |
2020-08-18 | 2020-08-18 | 2020 QF2 | 0.001402 AU (209,700 km; 130,300 mi) | 0.55 | 7.1–16 | 27.9 | — | data · 2020 QF2 |
2020-08-20 | 2020-08-14 | 2020 PY2 | 0.002342 AU (350,400 km; 217,700 mi) | 0.91 | 12–28 | 26.7 | ✓ | data · 2020 PY2 |
2020-08-20 | 2020-08-20 | 2020 QY2 | 0.000445 AU (66,600 km; 41,400 mi) | 0.17 | 1.5–3.4 | 31.2 | — | data · 2020 QY2 |
2020-08-21 | 2020-08-22 | 2020 QN4 | 0.001824 AU (272,900 km; 169,600 mi) | 0.71 | 5.1–11 | 28.6 | — | data · 2020 QN4 |
2020-08-22 | 2020-08-23 | 2020 QQ4 | 0.002062 AU (308,500 km; 191,700 mi) | 0.80 | 4.6–10 | 28.8 | — | data · 2020 QQ4 |
2020-08-23 | 2020-08-25 | 2020 QR5 | 0.002144 AU (320,700 km; 199,300 mi) | 0.83 | 9.1–20 | 27.3 | — | data · 2020 QR5 |
2020-09-09 | 2020-09-12 | 2020 RE5 | 0.001639 AU (245,200 km; 152,400 mi) | 0.64 | 4.1–9.2 | 29.0 | — | data · 2020 RE5 |
2020-09-10 | 2020-09-13 | 2020 RG10 | 0.000909 AU (136,000 km; 84,500 mi) | 0.35 | 4.3–9.7 | 28.9 | — | data · 2020 RG10 |
2020-09-13 | 2020-09-17 | 2020 SP | 0.002218 AU (331,800 km; 206,200 mi) | 0.86 | 9.9–22 | 27.2 | — | data · 2020 SP |
2020-09-14 | 2020-09-12 | 2020 RF3 | 0.000629 AU (94,100 km; 58,500 mi) | 0.24 | 5.1–11 | 28.6 | — | data · 2020 RF3 |
2020-09-14 | 2020-09-12 | 2020 RD4 | 0.000707 AU (105,800 km; 65,700 mi) | 0.28 | 2.9–6.5 | 29.8 | — | data · 2020 RD4 |
2020-09-17 | 2020-09-15 | 2020 RZ6 | 0.002273 AU (340,000 km; 211,300 mi) | 0.88 | 12–27 | 26.7 | — | data · 2020 RZ6 |
2020-09-19 | 2020-09-20 | 2020 SZ2 | 0.002449 AU (366,400 km; 227,600 mi) | 0.95 | 3.5–7.9 | 29.4 | — | data · 2020 SZ2 |
2020-09-23 | 2020-09-26 | 2020 SG6 | 0.001486 AU (222,300 km; 138,100 mi) | 0.58 | 3.7–8.3 | 29.3 | — | data · 2020 SG6 |
2020-09-24 | 2020-09-18 | 2020 SW | 0.000188 AU (28,100 km; 17,500 mi) | 0.07 | 4.3–9.7 | 28.9 | — | data · 2020 SW |
2020-09-24 | 2020-09-25 | 2020 SN5 | 0.001349 AU (201,800 km; 125,400 mi) | 0.53 | 6.1–14 | 28.2 | — | data · 2020 SN5 |
2020-09-26 | 2020-09-23 | 2020 SQ4 | 0.002363 AU (353,500 km; 219,700 mi) | 0.92 | 4.5–10 | 28.9 | — | data · 2020 SQ4 |
2020-10-01 | 2020-10-04 | 2020 TA | 0.001475 AU (220,700 km; 137,100 mi) | 0.57 | 21–48 | 25.5 | — | data · 2020 TA |
2020-10-09 | 2020-10-10 | 2020 TE5 | 0.001704 AU (254,900 km; 158,400 mi) | 0.15 | 4.2–9.3 | 29.0 | — | data · 2020 TE5 |
2020-10-12 | 2020-10-08 | 2020 TS1 | 0.001704 AU (254,900 km; 158,400 mi) | 0.66 | 4.0–9.0 | 29.1 | — | data · 2020 TS1 |
2020-10-13 | 2020-10-15 | 2020 TD7 | 0.002273 AU (340,000 km; 211,300 mi) | 0.88 | 11–26 | 26.8 | — | data · 2020 TD7 |
2020-10-14 | 2020-10-15 | 2020 TK7 | 0.000503 AU (75,200 km; 46,800 mi) | 0.20 | 3.2–7.2 | 29.6 | — | data · 2020 TK7 |
2020-10-15 | 2020-10-17 | 2020 UE | 0.001822 AU (272,600 km; 169,400 mi) | 0.71 | 21–46 | 25.5 | ✓ | data · 2020 UE |
2020-10-17 | 2020-10-15 | 2020 TG6 | 0.000928 AU (138,800 km; 86,300 mi) | 0.36 | 8.0–18 | 29.0 | — | data · 2020 TG6 |
2020-10-18 | 2020-10-15 | 2020 TE6 | 0.001538 AU (230,100 km; 143,000 mi) | 0.60 | 8.5–19 | 27.6 | ✓ | data · 2020 TE6 |
2020-10-19 | 2020-10-17 | 2020 UX | 0.001271 AU (190,100 km; 118,100 mi) | 0.49 | 1.6–3.6 | 31.1 | — | data · 2020 UX |
2020-10-19 | 2020-10-15 | 2020 TF1 | 0.001024 AU (153,200 km; 95,200 mi) | 0.40 | 4.0–9.0 | 27.5 | — | data · 2020 TF6 |
2020-10-21 | 2020-10-16 | 2020 UA | 0.000298 AU (44,600 km; 27,700 mi) | 0.12 | 5.9–13 | 28.3 | — | data · 2020 UA |
2020-10-21 | 2020-10-17 | 2020 UY | 0.002347 AU (351,100 km; 218,200 mi) | 0.91 | 4.3–9.6 | 29.0 | — | data · 2020 UY |
2020-10-22 | 2020-10-21 | 2020 UO3 | 0.002343 AU (350,500 km; 217,800 mi) | 0.91 | 6.1–14 | 28.2 | ✓ | data · 2020 UO3 |
2020-10-22 | 2020-10-21 | 2020 UF3 | 0.000289 AU (43,200 km; 26,900 mi) | 0.11 | 5.1–11 | 28.6 | — | data · 2020 UF3 |
2020-11-02 | 2020-11-05 | 2020 VW | 0.001481 AU (221,600 km; 137,700 mi) | 0.58 | 5.4–12 | 28.4 | — | data · 2020 VW |
2020-11-06 | 2020-11-10 | 2020 VO1 | 0.001157 AU (173,100 km; 107,500 mi) | 0.45 | 6.7–15 | 28.0 | — | data · 2020 VO1 |
2020-11-09 | 2020-11-09 | 2020 VR1 | 0.002540 AU (380,000 km; 236,100 mi) | 0.99 | 4.4–9.8 | 28.9 | — | data · 2020 VR1 |
2020-11-11 | 2020-11-10 | 2020 VP1 | 0.001225 AU (183,300 km; 113,900 mi) | 0.49 | 7.8–17 | 27.7 | ✓ | data · 2020 VP1 |
2020-11-13 | 2020-11-14 | 2020 VT4 | 0.000045 AU (6,700 km; 4,200 mi) | 0.02 | 4.9–11 | 28.7 | — | data · 2020 VT4 |
2020-11-13 | 2020-11-13 | 2020 VH5 | 0.001691 AU (253,000 km; 157,200 mi) | 0.66 | 3.9–8.6 | 29.2 | — | data · 2020 VH5 |
2020-11-24 | 2020-11-25 | 2020 WY4 | 0.000746 AU (111,600 km; 69,300 mi) | 0.29 | 4.4–9.9 | 28.9 | — | data · 2020 WY4 |
2020-11-26 | 2020-11-27 | 2020 WG5 | 0.002416 AU (361,400 km; 224,600 mi) | 0.94 | 7.9–18 | 27.6 | — | data · 2020 WG5 |
2020-11-26 | 2020-11-27 | 2020 WF5 | 0.001346 AU (201,400 km; 125,100 mi) | 0.52 | 7.6–17 | 27.7 | — | data · 2020 WF5 |
2020-11-30 | 2020-12-04 | 2020 XC | 0.000810 AU (121,200 km; 75,300 mi) | 0.32 | 4.2–9.5 | 29.0 | ✓ | data · 2020 XC |
2020-12-01 | 2020-12-04 | 2020 XE | 0.001991 AU (297,800 km; 185,100 mi) | 0.77 | 15–33 | 26.3 | ✓ | data · 2020 XE |
2020-12-03 | 2020-12-05 | 2020 XE1 | 0.002184 AU (326,700 km; 203,000 mi) | 0.85 | 13–28 | 26.6 | ✓ | data · 2020 XE1 |
2020-12-03 | 2020-12-05 | 2020 XF | 0.000593 AU (88,700 km; 55,100 mi) | 0.23 | 12–28 | 26.7 | — | data · 2020 XF |
2020-12-03 | 2020-11-14 | 2020 VZ6 | 0.002332 AU (348,900 km; 216,800 mi) | 0.91 | 25–57 | 25.1 | ✓ | data · 2020 VZ6 |
2020-12-07 | 2020-12-07 | 2020 XK1 | 0.000139 AU (20,800 km; 12,900 mi) | 0.05 | 2.0–4.4 | 30.6 | — | data · 2020 XK1 |
2020-12-08 | 2020-12-07 | 2020 XG2 | 0.000327 AU (48,900 km; 30,400 mi) | 0.13 | 7.0–16 | 27.9 | — | data · 2020 XG2 |
2020-12-16 | 2020-12-10 | 2020 XF4 | 0.002293 AU (343,000 km; 213,100 mi) | 0.89 | 8.8–20 | 27.4 | ✓ | data · 2020 XF4 |
2020-12-18 | 2020-12-10 | 2020 XX3 | 0.000382 AU (57,100 km; 35,500 mi) | 0.15 | 5.4–12 | 28.5 | — | data · 2020 XX3 |
2020-12-19 | 2020-12-21 | 2020 YR2 | 0.001153 AU (172,500 km; 107,200 mi) | 0.45 | 5.4–12 | 28.5 | — | data · 2020 YR2 |
2020-12-20 | 2020-12-21 | 2020 YS2 | 0.000581 AU (86,900 km; 54,000 mi) | 0.23 | 1.7–3.8 | 31.0 | — | data · 2020 YS2 |
2020-12-21 | 2020-12-21 | 2020 YJ2 | 0.002291 AU (342,700 km; 213,000 mi) | 0.89 | 9.4–21 | 27.3 | — | data · 2020 YJ2 |
2020-12-28 | 2020-12-27 | 2020 YS4 | 0.000645 AU (96,500 km; 60,000 mi) | 0.25 | 7.7–17 | 27.7 | — | data · 2020 YS4 |
Warning times by size
This sub-section visualises the warning times of the close approaches listed in the above table, depending on the size of the asteroid. It shows the effectiveness of asteroid warning systems at detecting close approaches in 2021. The sizes of the charts show the relative sizes of the asteroids to scale. For comparison, the approximate size of a person is also shown. This is based the absolute magnitude of each asteroid, an approximate measure of size based on brightness.
Absolute Magnitude 30 and greater
![Silhouette of man standing and facing forward](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Silhouette_of_man_standing_and_facing_forward.svg/4px-Silhouette_of_man_standing_and_facing_forward.svg.png)
(size of a person for comparison)
Absolute Magnitude 29-30
Absolute Magnitude 28-29
Absolute Magnitude 27-28
Absolute Magnitude 26-27
Absolute Magnitude 25-26
Absolute Magnitude less than 25 (largest)
- After closest approach: 1 (100.0%)
- < 24 hours before: 0 (0.0%)
- up to 7 days before: 0 (0.0%)
- > one week before: 0 (0.0%)
- > 7 weeks before: 0 (0.0%)
- > one year before: 0 (0.0%)
Predicted close approaches
Below is the list of predicted close approaches of near-Earth asteroids larger than magnitude 27, that were predicted to occur in 2020.[note 1] This relates to asteroid cataloging systems effectiveness at predicting close approaches in 2020.
For asteroids which were observed but not predicted, see the main list above. In 2020, at the outset of the year, no asteroids were predicted to pass within 1 lunar distance of Earth. Table omitted.
Notes
- ^ a b Absolute magnitude 27 is the estimated magnitude of the Chelyabinsk meteor, which caused widespread damage and injury, but no deaths. Objects smaller than this are excluded.
- ^ For a list of current Earth close approaches see Close Approaches and NEO Earth Close Approaches
- ^ 2020 FD2 passed Earth with a velocity with respect to Earth of 33.4 km/s and was moving away from the Sun at 38.6 km/s.
- ^ Distance from the center of Earth to the center of the object. See the NASA/JPL Solar System Dynamics Glossary: Geocentric. Earth has a radius of approximately 6,400 km (0.0166 LD).
- ^ Objects that approached closer to the Moon than Earth are marked with a check.
Additional examples
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/2020BX12_Radar.gif/220px-2020BX12_Radar.gif)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/52768_1998_OR2.jpg/220px-52768_1998_OR2.jpg)
An example list of near-Earth asteroids that passed or will pass more than 1 lunar distance (384,400 km or 0.00256 AU) from Earth in 2020.
Object | Size (meters) |
Nearest approach (lunar distances) |
Date | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 BX12 | 165 | 11.34 | 2020-02-03 | JPL · CAD |
(163373) 2002 PZ39 | 700 | 15.02 | 2020-02-15 | JPL · CAD |
(52768) 1998 OR2 | 1,750 | 16.36 | 2020-04-29 | JPL · CAD |
(388945) 2008 TZ3 | 350 | 7.27 | 2020-05-10 | JPL · CAD |
(136795) 1997 BQ | 1,000 | 16.02 | 2020-05-21 | JPL · CAD |
Planet Venus[note2 1] | — | 112.3 | 2020-06-03 | JPL |
(163348) 2002 NN4 | 613 | 13.25 | 2020-06-06 | JPL · CAD |
2013 XA22 | 115 | 7.62 | 2020-06-08 | JPL · CAD |
(441987) 2010 NY65 | 228 | 9.78 | 2020-06-24 | JPL · CAD |
(8014) 1990 MF | 700 | 21.28 | 2020-07-23 | JPL · CAD |
2011 ES4 | 35 | 3.85 | 2020-09-02 | JPL · CAD |
2014 RC | 22 | 38.58 | 2020-09-22 | JPL · CAD |
(159402) 1999 AP10 | 2,600 | 31.39 | 2020-10-19 | JPL · CAD |
2020 VV | 12 | 8.37 | 2020-10-21 | JPL · CAD |
2018 VP1 | 2-4 | 1.09+1.07 −11.06[note2 2] |
2020-11-02 | JPL · CAD |
(7753) 1988 XB | 800 | 25.76 | 2020-11-22 | JPL · CAD |
(153201) 2000 WO107 | 600 | 11.19 | 2020-11-29 | JPL · CAD |
(501647) 2014 SD224 | 150 | 7.86 | 2020-12-25 | JPL · CAD |
162173 Ryugu | 865 | 23.56 | 2020-12-29 | JPL · CAD |
Notes
- ^ For comparison
- ^ 2018 VP1 could potentially pass less than 1 lunar distance to Earth, but the chances are fairly low and as such it was not listed in the main table unless followup observations confirm that it will pass less than 1 LD from Earth. A longer observation arc is required to constrain the orbit better. The Earth approach distance has an uncertainty of about 4 million km, ±3 days, and a 1:240 chance of impacting Earth.
See also
- List of asteroid close approaches to Earth
- List of asteroid close approaches to Earth in 2019
- List of asteroid close approaches to Earth in 2021
- Asteroid impact prediction
References
- ^ "New Data Confirm 2020 SO to be the Upper Centaur Rocket Booster from the 1960's". NASA. 2 December 2020.
- ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2020 FD2)". Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
- ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser". JPL Solar System Dynamics. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
- ^ "MPC Database". IAU Minor Planet Center. International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 1 January 2021.