2012 BX₃₄

2012 BX₃₄ is a small Aten asteroid that made one of the closest recorded asteroid close approaches of Earth on 27 January 2012. It passed within 0.0004371 AU (65,390 km; 40,630 mi) of Earth during its closest approach at 15:25 GMT.[6] 2012 BX₃₄ measures around 8 meters (26 ft) across; if it had impacted in 2012, it would have been too small to pass through Earth's atmosphere intact.[7]

2012 BX₃₄

Discovery[1]
Discovered by	Catalina Sky Survey
Discovery date	25 January 2012
Designations
Minor planet category	Aten
Orbital characteristics[2]
Epoch 13 January 2016 (JD 2457400.5)
Uncertainty parameter 3
Aphelion	1.0332 AU (154.56 Gm) (Q)
Perihelion	0.48892 AU (73.141 Gm) (q)
Semi-major axis	0.76105 AU (113.851 Gm) (a)
Eccentricity	0.35757 (e)
Orbital period	0.66 yr (242.5 d)
Average orbital speed	1.48200135°/day
Mean anomaly	211.76° (M)
Mean motion	1.4845°/day (n)
Inclination	10.527° (i)
Longitude of ascending node	306.74° (Ω)
Argument of perihelion	335.834° (ω)
Earth MOID	0.000288322 AU (43,132.4 km)
Jupiter MOID	4.09701 AU (612.904 Gm)
Physical characteristics
Dimensions	~8 meters (26 ft)[3][4]
Rotation period	1.80828 h (0.075345 d)[2]
Apparent magnitude	~13.9[5] to 30.3
Absolute magnitude (H)	27.6[2]

During its 2012 close approach to Earth, 2012 BX₃₄ had a brightest apparent magnitude of about 13.9,[5] making it about as bright as the dwarf planet Pluto. By 25 February 2012, it had dimmed to magnitude 30.[1] During its close approach of 0.0246 AU (3,680,000 km; 2,290,000 mi) on 28 January 2014,[6] it will only reach a magnitude of about 23.[8] 2012 BX₃₄ has been observed in more detail using radar astronomy.[9]

Animation of 2012 BX34's orbit around Sun
  2012 BX34 ·   Sun ·   Earth

See also

• List of asteroid close approaches to Earth in 2012

References

1. "MPEC 2012-B62 : 2012 BX34". IAU Minor Planet Center. 26 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
2. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2012 BX34)". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
3. "Images taken by legendary comet and asteroid hunter Rob McNaught tonight using T17 in Spain". iTelescope. 27 January 2012. Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
4. Dr. Lance A. M. Benner (26 January 2012). "2012 BX34 Goldstone Radar Observations Planning". NASA/JPL Asteroid Radar Research. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
5. "NEODyS 2012BX34 Ephemerides for 27 January 2012". AstDyS-2 (Asteroids – Dynamic Site). Retrieved 29 January 2012.
6. "JPL Close-Approach Data: (2012 BX34)". 27 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
7. AsteroidWatch (26 January 2012). "It wouldn't get through our atmosphere intact even if it dared to try". NASA/JPL Near-Earth Object Program Office. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
8. "NEODyS 2012BX34 Ephemerides for 28 January 2014". AstDyS-2 (Asteroids – Dynamic Site). Retrieved 30 January 2012.
9. "Radar-Detected Asteroids and Comets". NASA/JPL Asteroid Radar Research. Retrieved 21 March 2012.

External links

• "Zippy little asteroid 2012 BX34 makes a quick visit". Astro Bob. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
• 2012 BX34 – Close Approach. (Ernesto Guido, Giovanni Sostero & Nick Howes). 27 January 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
• "Asteroid makes near-miss fly-by". BBC. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
• "Bus-Size Asteroid Buzzes Earth in Close Flyby". Space.com. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
• 2012 BX34 at the JPL Small-Body Database
  • Close approach · Discovery · Ephemeris · Orbit diagram · Orbital elements · Physical parameters