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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis view from NASA\u2019s Scout system shows the deflection of asteroid 2023 BU\u2019s trajectory \u2013 in red \u2013 caused by Earth\u2019s gravity. The orbit of geosynchronous satellites is shown in green, and the orbit of the Moon is depicted by the gray oval.Credits: NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The asteroid was discovered by amateur astronomer Gennadiy Borisov, discoverer of the\u00a0interstellar comet\u00a02I\/Borisov, from his MARGO observatory in Nauchnyi, Crimea, on Saturday, Jan. 21. Additional observations were reported to the Minor Planet Center (MPC) \u2013 the internationally recognized clearinghouse for the position measurements of small celestial bodies \u2013 and the data was then automatically posted to the\u00a0Near-Earth Object Confirmation Page. After sufficient observations were collected, the MPC\u00a0announced the discovery. Within three days, a number of observatories around the world had made dozens of observations, helping astronomers better refine 2023 BU\u2019s orbit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NASA\u2019s Scout impact hazard assessment system, which is maintained by the Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at the agency\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, analyzed the data from the MPC\u2019s confirmation page and quickly predicted the near miss. CNEOS calculates every known near-Earth asteroid orbit to provide assessments of potential impact hazards in support of NASA\u2019s Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cScout quickly ruled out 2023 BU as an impactor, but despite the very few observations, it was nonetheless able to predict that the asteroid would make an extraordinarily close approach with Earth,\u201d said Davide Farnocchia, a navigation engineer at JPL who developed Scout. \u201cIn fact, this is one of the closest approaches by a known near-Earth object ever recorded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fully interactive, Eyes on Asteroids<\/a> uses science data to help visualize asteroid and comet orbits around the Sun. Zoom in to travel along with your favorite spacecraft as they explore these fascinating near-Earth objects. Credit: NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n While any asteroid in Earth\u2019s proximity will experience a change in trajectory due to our planet\u2019s gravity, 2023 BU will come so close that its path around the Sun is expected to be significantly altered. Before encountering Earth, the asteroid\u2019s orbit around the Sun was roughly circular, approximating Earth\u2019s orbit, taking 359 days to complete its orbit about the Sun. After its encounter, the asteroid\u2019s orbit will be more elongated, moving it out to about halfway between Earth\u2019s and Mars\u2019 orbits at its farthest point from the Sun. The asteroid will then complete one orbit every 425 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More information about CNEOS, asteroids, and near-Earth objects can be found at:\u00a0https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/asteroid-watch<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n We recommend you: Webb Unveils Dark Side of Pre-stellar Ice Chemistry<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n