A newly discovered asteroid designated 2018 UA flew Earth at a very close distance of about 0.04 LD / 9.14e-5 AU (15 360 km / 9 544 miles) above Earth’s surface. This is the closest known asteroid to flyby Earth since the start of the year and 4th closest on record. Interestingly, this object was discovered about 90 minutes before its closest flyby. At best, it would produce a nice fireball and small meteoroids.
This object belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. Its estimated diameter is between 2.5 and 5.5 m (8 and 18 feet).
2018 UA, previously known as ZU1CE58, was first observed at Catalina Sky Survey on October 19, about 90 minutes before its closest approach at 14:46 UTC today.
The object flew past us at a speed (relative to the Earth) of 14.14 km/s.
This is the 3rd known asteroid to flyby Earth within 1 lunar distance since October 7 and 56th this year.
2018 AU made history with 4th closest flyby of any known asteroid on record.
Original Article:https://watchers.news/2018/10/19/asteroid-zu1ce50-flyby-earth/
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