2023 DZ2 path compared to lunar orbit.

(Provided by Taipei Planetarium)

[Reporter Yang Xinhui/Taipei Report] A near-Earth asteroid named 2023 DZ2 will pass by at a speed of 28,000 kilometers per hour at a distance of only 173,000 kilometers from the earth at 4:00 am on March 26 in Taiwan. Less than half the distance to the moon!

According to the Taipei Planetarium, in fact, since the evening of the 25th, it has been closer than the moon, and briefly became the closest celestial body to the earth.

According to the Taipei Planetarium, the diameter of this rocky asteroid is estimated to be between 43 and 95 meters, which is about the size of a football field. The asteroid that produced a sonic boom and caused many injuries is several times larger. The diameter of the asteroid is estimated to be about 20 meters. Fortunately, 2023 DZ2 will not hit the earth or enter the atmosphere, and is safe and sound.

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The Taipei Planetarium calculates based on the data provided by NASA, the closest moment of 2023 DZ2 to the earth is around 3:52 on March 26, but there may be some differences as the orbit changes. The distance is very close, so its brightness is relatively high, about 10th magnitude, and it can be seen with a small telescope or even better quality binoculars in areas without light pollution. When it is the closest, it is located in the constellations Virgo and Corvus Junction, like a point of light moving slowly among the stars.

2023 DZ2 was discovered on February 27 this year. It belongs to the Apollo asteroid. It revolves around the sun every 3.16 years. worry.

2023 DZ2 taken by Filipp Romanov on March 21 this year.

(Provided by Taipei Planetarium)