5 Facts about a giant asteroid that will pass near Earth in early February

KOMPAS.com – In the coming days, asteroid a giant with the name 2022 AA will pass close to Earth.

For information, asteroids have their own trajectories to orbit the sun which are oval or elliptical. In revolving around the sun, asteroids spin and sometimes fall in an erratic direction.

This situation sometimes makes it dangerous, because if it hits the earth, the surface of the earth will be damaged and can damage the life of living things.

Also read: SpaceX Satellite Potentially Fails Astronomers to Detect Earth-threatening Asteroids

Here are some facts asteroid 2022 AA

1. Found January 1, 2022

Asteroid The 2022 AA is about 42 meters in diameter, which was discovered on January 1, 2022 through the Purple Mountain Observatory facility, Xu Yi station in China.

This asteroid has been confirmed by a wind sweeping system in various parts of the world from Europe to Latin America.

Asteroid 2022 AA It will be the first to approach Earth in 2022.

“(Asteroids) have been confirmed by celestial scanning systems in various parts of the world, from Europe to Latin America,” said amateur astronomer Marufin Sudibyo when contacted by Kompas.com, January 19, 2022.

2. Time of occurrence

Giant asteroid This will pass near the earth on February 4, 2022 at 21.16 UT or February 5, 2022 at 04.16 WIB with a distance of 2,542,000 km from the earth.

The asteroid will be traveling at a speed of more than 13,000 km per hour.

“This asteroid is traveling at a speed of 13,200 km per hour as it passes close Earth, “said researcher from Pusainassa National Aeronautics and Space Institute (LAPAN) Andi Pangerang.

3. Appolo class

Asteroid 2022 AA belongs to the Appolo class near Earth asteroids that orbit the sun every 1.46 years.

As an Appolo class, this asteroid has an orbit that can intersect with the Earth’s orbit.

This asteroid has an average distance to the sun of 192.6 km, which is greater than the average earth-sun distance (149.6 million km), but its perhelion (143.8 million km) is smaller than Earth’s aphelion (152, 1 million km).

The distance is still greater than the roche limit or the minimum distance the object can keep from breaking into pieces.

This is because the locking force experienced by the object is the same as the gravitational force of the earth.

Also read: An Asteroid Measuring 8 Times the Monas Monument Will Pass Near Earth, When?

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