Newly discovered asteroid 2018 RS flew past Earth at 0.28 LD
A newly discovered asteroid designated 2018 RS flew past Earth at a very close distance of 0.28 LD / 0.00071 AU (106 214 km / 65 998 miles) on September 5, 2018, one day before it was discovered.
Asteroid 2018 RS belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. It was first observed at Mt. Lemmon Survey at 12:19 UTC on September 6.
Its estimated diameter is between 3.4 and 7.6 m (11 – 24.9 feet) and it flew past Earth at 17:21 UTC on September 5 at a speed (relative to the Earth) of 17.07 km/s.
[ Ephemeris | Orbit Diagram | Orbital Elements | Mission Design | Physical Parameters | Close-Approach Data ]
This is the 42nd known asteroid to flyby Earth within 1 lunar distance since the start of the year, the second this month and the fourth since August 10.
Reference:
Asteroid 2018 RS at Minor Planet Center; at CNEOS
Featured image credit: CNEOS
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