Discovered only a few days ago, on January 21, by theastronomerastronomer amateur Gennadiy Borisov (the same who gave his name to the famous second cometcomet undiscovered interstellar: 2I/Borisov) in Crimea, theasteroidasteroid 2023 BU will pass very close to Earth this Thursday, January 26 at 9:17 p.m. UT (10:17 p.m. Paris time) some 3,600 kilometers above South America. That an object “In fact, this is one of the closest approaches ever recorded”, notes Davide Farnocchia, engineer at JPLJPL.
Rest assured in any case, 2023 BU presents no risk of collision with the Earth. And even if that were to happen, it would break into pieces due to its small size: between 3.8 and 8.5 meters, according to first estimates. Nothing to be afraid of.
Its passage will not be visible to theeyeeye naked, but you can follow him via VirtualTelescope which will broadcast the visit of the NEONEO. 2023 BU is an Apollo-like asteroid that had a orbitorbit almost circular around the SoleilSoleil of 359 days. Its passage so close to the Earth will modify its trajectory and lead it on a revolution of 425 days with a aphélieaphélie between Mars and our planet. Its return to our neighborhood is not expected until December 6, 2036, JPL said.
Explore all known asteroids and comets in the Solar systemSolar system in 3D on the dedicated site of the NasaNasa Eyes on Asteroid.
