Asteroid 2017 SX17 to flyby Earth at 0.23 LD on October 2

A small asteroid designated 2017 SX17 will flyby Earth at a very close distance of 0.23 LD (~ 88 320 km / 54 879 miles) on October 2, 2017. This is the 36^th known asteroid to flyby Earth since the start of the year, according to data available at CNEOS on October 30.

Asteroid 2017 SX17 belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. It was first observed at Mt. Lemmon Survey on September 29, 2017.

The estimated size of this object is between 6.5 and 15 m (21 – 49 feet), according to CNEOS. Minor Planet Center estimated its diameter between 3 and 12 m (9 and 39 feet).

2017 SX17 will make its closest approach to our planet at 10:20 UTC on October 2, 2017 at a speed (relative to the Earth) of 7.31 km/s.

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

This is the 36^th known asteroid to flyby Earth within 1 lunar distance since the start of the year. This is also the 9^th such flyby since September 3 and 7^th since September 20.

Reference:

Asteroid 2017 SX17 at Minor Planet Center; 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. Credit: Minor Planet Center