Asteroid 2012 TC4 was ‘recovered’ – astronomer-speak for ‘re-discovered’ – thru ESA-ESO collaboration as part of a larger campaign led by NASA.
The asteroid, between 15-30m diameter, was invisible for the past 5 years as its orbit took it behind the Sun. In October, it will fly past Earth at 44 000 km and provide an excellent opportunity for scientists to learn more about the object.
The observation campaign is an exercise in teamwork for the international network of observatories and research organisations working on planetary defence.
credit: ESO / ESA NEOCC / O. Hainaut (ESO), M. Micheli (ESA) & D. Koschny (ESA)
Asteroid 2012 TC4 will fly past Earth in October 2017
A small asteroid flying past Earth on 12 October will provide scientists with a valuable opportunity to learn more about its orbit and composition. The campaign will exercise the international network of observatories and research organisations working on planetary defence. Astronome…
