2012 FN

Summary

2012 FN is an Apollo asteroid and a near-Earth object[1] that has a 1 in 4 billion chance of impacting Earth on 7 March 2113.[2] It is estimated to be 5 meters in diameter, which means that it poses no threat if it impacts Earth. An impact would have the kinetic energy of about 3 kt of TNT,[2] and would probably result in an air burst in the upper atmosphere. It is the least threatening asteroid listed on the Sentry Risk Table.[3] The very short observation arc of only 3 hours[2] results in a very poorly constrained orbit, and it could just as easily be 2 AU from Earth on 7 March 2113.[4]

2012 FN
Discovery
Discovered byMount Lemmon Survey (G96)
Discovery date17 March 2012
Designations
Apollo NEO[1]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 17 March 2012 (JD 2456003.5)
Uncertainty parameter 9
Aphelion1.4500 AU (216.92 Gm)
Perihelion0.99291 AU (148.537 Gm)
1.2214 AU (182.72 Gm)
Eccentricity0.18710
1.35 yr (493.07 d)
21.742°
0° 43m 48.432s /day
Inclination3.2329°
356.91°
147.89°
Earth MOID0.015601 AU (2.3339 Gm)
Jupiter MOID3.54794 AU (530.764 Gm)
Physical characteristics
Dimensions~5 meters (16 ft)
29.2[1]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2012 FN)" (last observation: 2012-03-17; arc: 3 hours; uncertainty: 9). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  2. ^ a b c NASA JPL. "2012 FN Impact Risk". Archived from the original on 31 July 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  3. ^ Sentry Risk Table (NASA JPL)
  4. ^ "2012FN Ephemerides for 6-8 March 2113". NEODyS (Near Earth Objects – Dynamic Site). Retrieved 25 October 2014.

External links edit

  • List of Apollo asteroids, Minor Planet Center
  • 2012 FN at NeoDyS-2, Near Earth Objects—Dynamic Site
    • Ephemerides · Observation prediction · Orbital info · MOID · Proper elements · Observational info · Close approaches · Physical info · Orbit animation
  • 2012 FN at ESA–space situational awareness
    • Ephemerides · Observations · Orbit · Physical properties · Summary
  • 2012 FN at the JPL Small-Body Database  
    • Close approach · Discovery · Ephemeris · Orbit diagram · Orbital elements · Physical parameters