While it sounds like a huge speed relative to what we’re familiar with on Earth, it’s a relatively slow asteroid in contrast to other space rocks that astronomers study. The space rock is traveling at a speed of 17,403 miles per hour (28,008 km/h), or 7.78 km per second, relative to Earth. The relative closeness will enable observers to see the space rock in six-inch (15 cm) and larger diameter telescopes. Thank you, Filipp! Visible in small telescopesĪsteroid 2023 DZ2 will pass 0.5 lunar distances (half the Earth-moon distance) from Earth’s surface. | Filipp Romanov captured this image of asteroid 2023 DZ2 using a remote camera at Abbey Ridge Observatory, Canada, on March 21, 2023. ?Astronomers with the International Asteroid Warning Network are using this close approach to learn as much as possible about 2023 DZ2 in a short time period – good practice for #PlanetaryDefense in the future if a potential asteroid threat were ever discovered.

…able to rule out previous potential impacts as no longer consistent with the observations. Fortunately, as of March 21, 2023, officials have removed it from the Sentry Risk Table, saying they are: No risk of impact in 2026įor a while, this new asteroid posed a very slight risk of impact with Earth on March 27, 2026. Last chance to get a moon phase calendar! Only a few left. Watch a video of size comparisons in asteroids here.Ģ023 DZ2 is classified as a NEO (Near Earth Object).

For comparison, the asteroid that entered over Chelyabinsk, Russia, in February 2013 was a space rock around 65 feet (20 meters) in diameter. Current estimates put 2023 DZ2’s size at about 210 feet (64 meters) in diameter.Įstimates of its size are between 141 and 312 feet (43 and 95 meters) in diameter. It’s part of the Apollo family of asteroids. #SpotTheAsteroid #IAWN #QHY42Pro /O95YXuxFKr First observed at La Palma: 27th Feb' Close approach today. But the exact time and other details might be updated as more observations come in.Īpollo-type asteroid #2023DZ2. See the charts at the bottom of this post.Ĭlosest approach to Earth is thought to occur at around 19:51 UTC (3:51 p.m. And amateur astronomers might get a glimpse of the asteroid as it speeds past. Astronomers at the observatory of La Palma, in the Canary Islands, Spain, discovered the asteroid in late February 2023. It’ll sweep by at about half the Earth-moon distance. Yet another newly discovered space rock will safely zip past Earth, this one on March 25, 2023.

Asteroid 2023 DZ2 will safely pass by Earth at about half the Earth-moon distance.

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