Minimum Separation of Asteroid 1999 KW4 and Earth

The unique capabilities of the SPHERE instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope have enabled it to obtain the sharpest images of a double asteroid as it flew by Earth on 25 May. While this double asteroid was not itself a threatening object, scientists used the opportunity to rehearse the response to a hazardous Near-Earth Object (NEO), proving that ESO’s front-line technology could be critical in planetary defence.

This infographic shows the minimum distance between the asteroid 1999 KW4 an Earth — the closest the asteroid comes to our planet during its fly-by.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso1910b
Type:Artwork
Release date:3 June 2019, 12:00
Related releases:eso1910
Size:5644 x 2000 px

About the Object

Name:Asteroid
Type:Unspecified : Interplanetary Body : Asteroid
Category:Illustrations

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