On February 2, 2024, NASA utilized the Deep Space Network\u2019s Goldstone Solar System Radar to capture the first detailed images of asteroid 2008 OS7 during its close approach to Earth. The asteroid, measuring between 150 to 200 m (500 \u2013 650 feet) wide, passed at a safe distance of approximately 2.9 million km (1.8 million miles), allowing scientists to refine its size, rotation, and orbital path, improving predictions of its future trajectories.<\/strong><\/p>\n This flyby marked the first opportunity for NASA\u2019s planetary radar to obtain detailed images of this near-Earth object (NEO), which had previously been too distant for such detailed analysis.<\/p>\n The asteroid was first identified on July 30, 2008, by the Catalina Sky Survey, funded by NASA and based at the University of Arizona, Tucson. Initial observations had estimated its width to be between 200 and 500 m (650 to 1 640 feet), with a notably slow rotation period of 29 \u00bd hours, determined by Petr Pravec from the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences.<\/p>\n Utilizing the 70 m (230 foot) wide Goldstone Solar System Radar dish, part of the Deep Space Network near Barstow, California, JPL\u2019s radar group was able to gather unprecedented data on 2008 OS7.<\/p>\n The images revealed a surface characterized by both rounded and angular regions, including a small concavity, determined the asteroid is smaller than previously estimated \u2013 about 150 to 200 m (500 to 650 feet) wide, and confirmed its uncommonly slow rotation.<\/p>\n These observations are crucial for understanding the asteroid\u2019s physical characteristics and for refining its orbital path around the Sun, which spans from within Venus\u2019s orbit to beyond Mars\u2019s, completing a cycle every 2.6 years. <\/p>\n The data collected will aid NASA\u2019s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) in improving predictions of 2008 OS7\u2019s future trajectories and enhancing our preparedness for potential asteroid threats.<\/p>\n References:<\/p>\n 1<\/sup> NASA\u2019s Planetary Radar Images Slowly Spinning Asteroid \u2013 NASA\/JPL \u2013 February 26, 2024<\/p>\n Featured image credit: NASA\/JPL<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n Monday, April 16, 2018<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Sunday, February 11, 2018<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Sunday, February 11, 2018<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Monday, February 5, 2018<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Monday, February 5, 2018<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Sunday, January 28, 2018<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n![\"First](\"https:\/\/watchers.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/First-detailed-images-of-asteroid-2008-OS7-1024x573.webp\")
![\"asteroid](\"https:\/\/watchers.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/asteroid-2008-os7-orbit-diagram-january-25-2024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nAsteroid 2018 GE3 flew past Earth at 0.5 LD<\/h3>\n
Asteroid 2018 CN2 flew past Earth at 0.18 LD, discovered one day before closest approach<\/h3>\n
Asteroid 2018 CF2 flew past Earth at 0.25 LD, one day before discovery<\/h3>\n
Asteroid 2018 CB to flyby Earth at 0.17 LD on February 9<\/h3>\n
Asteroid 2018 CC to flyby Earth at 0.5 LD on February 6<\/h3>\n
Asteroid 2018 BN6 flew past Earth at 0.94 LD, 7th within 1 LD in 9 days<\/h3>\n
Asteroid 2018 BR1 flew past Earth at 0.33 LD on January 16, 5th in 4 days<\/h3>\n