Asteroid 2018 QR1 flew past Earth at 0.23 LD
A newly discovered asteroid designated 2018 QR1 flew past Earth at a very close distance of 0.23 LD / 0.00059 AU (88 262 km / 54 843 miles) on August 21, 2018.
This object belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. It was first observed at Palomar Mountain (ZTF) in California, US, one day before its close approach.
2018 QR1 has an estimated diameter between 9.5 and 21 m (31 and 69 feet) and it flew past Earth at a speed (relative to the Earth) of 18.02 km/s at 21:10 UTC.
[ Ephemeris | Orbit Diagram | Orbital Elements | Mission Design | Physical Parameters | Close-Approach Data ]
This is the 40th known asteroid to fly by Earth within 1 lunar distance this year and the second this month. It comes 11 days after 2018 PD20.
Reference
Asteroid 2018 QR1 at Minor Planet Center; at CNEOS
Featured image credit: CNEOS
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