Radar images obtained from the Arecibo Observatory revealed that Asteroid 2015 TB145 has a size of 600 meters (1,968 feet), so that the space rock was found to be larger than the preliminary estimates.
Many have called this the “Halloween asteroid” because its closest to Earth step occurs on October 31. The most recent studies suggest that seems to be the core of an extinct comet or worn.
Scientists group of planetary sciences at Arecibo Radio Telescope found that the space rock, which will be spending 1.3 times the Earth-Moon distance, has an estimated turnover of 5 hours.
This asteroid also be seen in conjunction with other radio telescopes in the United States, including radar NASA’s Goldstone in California and radars “Green Bank “in Virginia. These comments will be used to determine even better shape, and surface rotation and refine the asteroid’s orbit. This in turn will allow better assessment of the dangers of a possible future impact. The Arecibo Observatory also observed the asteroid today, Halloween day.
The Asteroid 2015 TB145, discovered on October 10 by the Pan-STARRS I Survey Hawaii, was categorized as a potentially hazardous asteroid because of its size and proximity to Earth. “One of the responsibilities of the Arecibo Observatory is accurately measure the distance of asteroids and their velocities, which is then used to study the orbit and predict its movement for hundreds of years,” said Dr. Edgard Rivera-Valentin, a planetary scientist the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) in the Arecibo Observatory. Asteroid 2015 TB145 no danger nor will pass so close to Earth this century.
Valuable work in Arecibo
“Our measures also allow high-resolution images only surpassed by space missions sent to asteroids specifically. The difference is that our work is far more cost effective and can quantify a greater amount of asteroids, “said Dr. Patrick Taylor, USRA scientist at the Arecibo Observatory and leader.
The radar images obtained at the Arecibo Observatory suggest that the asteroid is moving in favor of clockwise, which is significant due to the movement of its brilliant features. “The bright and dark parts are an indicator of surface irregularities. For example, the dark central part could be a large circular depression, possibly Impact Crater said Dr. James Richardson, USRA scientist at the Arecibo Observatory.
The asteroid it has also been captured by telescopes ópticos.Efraín Morales, dela Caribbean Astronomical Society (SAC), captured a sequence of images showing the movement of the space rock in a span of 20 minutes. Look at the spectacular slideshow
The SAC said there are specific instructions to try to spot the asteroid 2015 TB145 on his website.
The Arecibo Observatory has observed about 80 asteroids in so far this year and will continue to monitor the sky to improve our understanding of potentially dangerous objects for Earth, as Asteroid 2015 TB145. The rotation of the space rock, as captured from the radio telescope at Arecibo, can be appreciated it by clicking on this link.
“On Friday night will be watching the passing space rock,” the SAC while stressing that those with telescopes can see the asteroid apparently looking like a star moving through the constellation Orion. The educational institution will be clarified on Friday night when he can be spotted with the help of telescopes, since during the close pass happens on Saturday as the asteroid would not be visible in the daytime sky.
Located in Puerto Rico, Arecibo Observatory radio telescope is home to one of the largest and most sensitive world dish. The Arecibo Observatory is operated by SRI International in partnership with the Ana G. Mendez University System and USRA Metropolitan University under a cooperative agreement with the NSF. Planetarium program is supported by the NASA program Near Earth Object Observation Program.
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