1994 WR12
| Discovery[1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by |
Carolyn S. Shoemaker Palomar Observatory (675) |
| Discovery date | 28 November 1994 |
| Designations | |
| MPC designation | 1994 WR12 |
| MPO 57659 | |
Aten  NEO, PHA | |
| Orbital characteristics[2] | |
| Epoch 27 December 1994 (JD 2449713.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 8 | |
| Aphelion | 1.0576 AU (158.21 Gm) (Q) |
| Perihelion | 0.45616 AU (68.241 Gm) (q) |
| 0.75686 AU (113.225 Gm) (a) | |
| Eccentricity | 0.39730 (e) |
| 0.66 yr (240.5 d) | |
| 174.83° (M) | |
| 1.4969°/day (n) | |
| Inclination | 6.8639° (i) |
| 63.068° (Ω) | |
| 205.68° (ω) | |
| Earth MOID | 0.00235897 AU (352,897 km) |
| Jupiter MOID | 4.02184 AU (601.659 Gm) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | ~130 meters[3] |
| Mass | 2.9×109 kg (assumed)[3] |
| 22.0[2] | |
|
| |
1994 WR12 (also written 1994 WR12) is a near-Earth asteroid[2] with a poorly known orbit.[2] It was first imaged on 26 November 1994,[2] and was discovered on 28 November 1994 by Carolyn S. Shoemaker at Palomar Observatory (675).[1] It has a diameter of about 130 meters,[3] and is listed on the Sentry Risk Table.[4] The next good chance to observe the asteroid may not be until November 2044 when the orbital uncertainty will allow it to pass somewhere between 0.03–0.19 au from Earth.[5]
Virtual clones of the asteroid that fit the uncertainty in the known trajectory show 125 potential impacts between 2054 and 2113.[3] It has about a cumulative 1 in 10000 chance of impacting the Earth.[3] The poorly known trajectory of this asteroid (uncertainty=8) is further complicated by close approaches to Venus and Mercury.[5]
It is estimated that an impact would produce the equivalent of 77 megatons of TNT,[3] roughly 1.5 times that of most powerful nuclear weapon ever detonated (Tsar Bomba).
See also
References
- 1 2 "MPEC 1994-Y05 : 1994 WR12". IAU Minor Planet Center. 1994-12-21. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (1994 WR12)" (last observation: 1994-12-31; arc: 35 days; Uncertainty: 8). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Earth Impact Risk Summary: 1994 WR12". NASA/JPL Near-Earth Object Program Office. Retrieved 2014-07-08.
- ↑ "Sentry Risk Table". NASA/JPL Near-Earth Object Program Office. 14 Oct 2011. Archived from the original on 2013-05-29. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
- 1 2 "JPL Close-Approach Data: (1994 WR12)" (last observation: 1994-12-31; arc: 35 days; Uncertainty: 8). Retrieved 2011-04-07.
External links
- 1994 WR12 at the JPL Small-Body Database
