Asteroids 2020 BK3 and 2020 BB5 flew past Earth at 0.78 and 0.69 LD, respectively

Two newly discovered asteroids flew past Earth within 1 lunar distance since January 20, 2020. These are the second and third known asteroids to flyby Earth within 1 LD since the start of the year.

The first, designated 2020 BK3 is an Apollo-class asteroid that flew past us on January 20 at a distance of 0.78 LD / 0.00200 AU (299 195 km / 185 911 miles). Its estimated diameter is between 11 and 25 m (36 - 82 feet).

The asteroid was first observed at ATLAS-MLO, Mauna Loa, Hawaii on January 22, two days after it made a close approach to our planet. It flew past us at a speed (relative to the Earth) of 10.53 km/s at 20:51 UTC. 

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

Reference:

Asteroid 2020 BK3 at Minor Planet Center; at CNEOS

Asteroid 2020 BB5 also belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. It was first observed at Mt. Lemmon Survey, Arizona on January 23, one day after it made its close approach to our planet.

This is a smaller object than 2020 BK3, with an estimated diameter between 3.3 and 7.3 m (10 - 24 feet).

It flew past us at a speed (relative to the Earth) of 9.03 km/s at a distance of 0.69 LD / 0.00177 AU (264 788 km / 164 531 miles) at 00:20 UTC on January 22.

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

Reference:

Asteroid 2020 BB5 at Minor Planet Center; at CNEOS

Asteroids detected within 1 lunar distance in 2020 (valid January 24, 2020):

Asteroids detected within 1 lunar distance in 2019 (valid January 24, 2020):

Featured image credit: Minor Planet Center