Podcasts Science Astronomy Travelers In The Night 40E-52-Another Large Bright Suddenly Appearing Asteroid

40E-52-Another Large Bright Suddenly Appearing Asteroid

Published: Sept. 3, 2019, 3 p.m.

b"An unknown, quarter of a mile diameter asteroid, reached its furthest distance from the Sun on June 17, 2012. It brightened 10,000 times as it approached and crossed the Earth's orbit.Fortunately it never gets closer to the Earth than about 18 times the distance to our Moon. We will continue to observe to make sure that it does not become on an impact trajectory with the Earth as it passes other objects in space."