Asteroid 2018 CB to flyby Earth at 0.17 LD on February 9

A newly discovered asteroid designated will flyby Earth at a distance of 0.17 LD / 0.00043 AU (~64 327 km / 39 970 miles) on February 9, 2018. This is the 10^th known asteroid to flyby Earth within 1 lunar distance since the start of the year and, 9^th since January 15 and the second this month.

This asteroid was first observed at Catalina Sky Survey on February 4, 5 days before its closest approach to Earth.

It belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids and has an estimated diameter between 17 and 38 m (55.7 – 124.6 feet). It will fly past us at 09:47 UTC on February 9 at a speed (relative to the Earth) of 7.96 km/s.

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

We had 13 days with no known less than 1 lunar distance flybys after 7 asteroids flew past us within 1 lunar distance from January 15 – 24. The silence was broken on February 4 when 2 new close flybys were discovered, 2018 CB and 2018 CC.

This is also the second closest Earth flyby of any known asteroid this year.

Reference:

Asteroid 2018 CB at Minor Planet Center; at CNEOS

Featured image: 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.