Asteroid 2017 SU17 flew past Earth at 0.72 LD, two days before discovery

A newly discovered asteroid designated 2017 SU17 flew past Earth at 0.72 LD (~ 276 480 km / 171 796 miles) at 08:12 UTC on September 24, 2017. This is now the second known asteroid to flyby Earth within 1 LD on September 24, and the 34^th since the start of the year, according to data available at CNEOS on October 30.

2017 SU17 belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. It was first observed at ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala on September 26, 2017, two days after it flew by us.

This asteroid made its closest approach to our planet at 08:12 UTC on September 24 at a speed (relative to the Earth) of 8.44 km/s.

Its estimated size is between 6.9 and 16 m (22 – 52 feet).

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

This is the second known asteroid to flyby Earth within 1 lunar distance on September 24. The other one is designated 2017 SS12 and it flew past us some 7 hours after SU17.

[ Ephemeris | Orbit Diagram | Orbital Elements | Physical Parameters ]

References:

Asteroid 2017 SU17 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