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2012 LZ1

2012 LZ1
Radar image of 2012 LZ1 by the Arecibo Observatory in 2012
Discovery[1]
Discovered byRobert H. McNaught
Discovery siteSiding Spring Survey
Discovery date10 June 2012
Designations
2012 LZ1
Orbital characteristics[2]
Epoch 13 January 2016 (JD 2457400.5)
Uncertainty parameter 2
Aphelion4.0667 AU (608.37 Gm) (Q)
Perihelion1.0492 AU (156.96 Gm) (q)
2.5579 AU (382.66 Gm) (a)
Eccentricity0.58984 (e)
4.09 yr (1494.3 d)
312.53° (M)
0° 14m 27.312s / day (n)
Inclination26.102° (i)
264.53° (Ω)
14.241° (ω)
Earth MOID0.043164 AU (6.4572 Gm)
Jupiter MOID1.1348 AU (169.76 Gm)
Physical characteristics
Dimensions~1 km[3]
12.87 h (0.536 d)
10–15 hr[3]
0.02–0.04[3]
19.9[2]

2012 LZ1 is an asteroid classified as near-Earth object and potentially hazardous asteroid of the Amor group, approximately 1 km (0.62 mi) in diameter.[4] It passed within 5.4 million kilometers (14 lunar distances) of Earth on 14 June 2012.[4] It was discovered during the night of 10–11 June 2012 by astronomer Robert H. McNaught and his colleagues using the 0.5-meter Uppsala Southern Schmidt Telescope at the Siding Spring Observatory in Australia, just four days before its closest approach to Earth.[5][6]

Overview

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Arecibo radar observations on 19 June 2012 have shown that 2012 LZ1 is about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) in diameter and that 2012 LZ1 has zero chance of impacting the Earth for at least the next 750 years.[3]

A small change of trajectory caused by Earth's gravity was predicted from the 2012 passby.[7] The Slooh Space Camera streamed live footage of the passby over the Internet.[6] McNaught and Astronomy magazine columnist Bob Berman hosted the broadcast.[5] "We love it when stuff like this happens, because it's fun to do and the public appreciates it", said Slooh president Patrick Paolucci.[7] The asteroid was the same brightness as a 13th-magnitude star, too faint to be seen by the naked eye or a low-end telescope.[5][7]

The next passby for 2012 LZ1 was 27 July 2016 at 0.5 AU (75,000,000 km; 46,000,000 mi) from Earth.[7][8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "MPEC 2012-L30 : 2012 LZ1". IAU Minor Planet Center. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012. (K12L01Z)
  2. ^ a b c "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2012 LZ1)" (2012-06-25 last obs). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d Stacy Bowles (21 June 2012). "Arecibo Observatory Finds Asteroid 2012 LZ1 To Be Twice As Big As First Believed". Universities Space Research Association. Archived from the original on 27 June 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Humongous asteroid to hurtle past Earth Thursday". The Christian Science Monitor. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  5. ^ a b c "Huge Asteroid to Fly by Earth Thursday: How to Watch Online". Space.com. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  6. ^ a b Wall, Mike (20 May 2012). "Huge asteroid to fly by Earth Thursday – Technology & science – Space – Space.com". NBC News. Retrieved 14 June 2012.[dead link‍]
  7. ^ a b c d Ker Than (14 June 2012). "Large Asteroid to Buzz Earth Tonight—Watch It Live". National Geographic. Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  8. ^ "2012 LZ1 Ephemerides for July 2016". NEODyS (Near Earth Objects – Dynamic Site). Retrieved 15 June 2012.
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