Asteroid 2017 FS flew past Earth at 0.27 LD

A newly discovered asteroid 2017 FS flew past Earth at 0.27 LD (103 680 km / 64 423 miles) from the surface at 03:33 UTC on March 19, 2017. It was first observed at Mt. Lemmon Survey on March 17.

The estimated diameter of this object is between 4.2 and 9.4 m (13.8 – 30.8 feet). It flew past Earth with an estimated speed (relative to the Earth) of 20.05 km/s.

2017 FS belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids and is the 11^th known asteroid to flyby Earth within 1 lunar distance (~384 000 km / 238 600) since the start of the year, according to data available at CNEOS on September 20, 2017.

[ Ephemeris | Orbit Diagram | Orbital Elements | Physical Parameters | Close-Approach Data ]

Over the next two days, two other small asteroids will flyby us within 2 lunar distances; 2017 FK on March 20 (9 – 20 m / 29.5 – 65.6 feet) and 2017 FJ on March 21 (6.3 – 14 m / 20.6 – 45.9 feet).

Reference:

Asteroid 2017 FS at Minor Planet Center, NASA/CNEOS

Featured image: The green line indicates the object's apparent motion relative to the Earth, and the bright green marks are the object's location at approximately one hour intervals. The Moon's orbit is grey. The blue arrow points in the direction of Earth's motion and the yellow arrow points toward the Sun. Edit: TW