Detecting the asteroid moon near the Earth

Scientists discovered that 2020 BX12 is a binary asteroid with a smaller rock orbiting a larger rock.

On January 27, scientists using a telescope atop Mauna Loa in Hawaii spotted an asteroid that had been seen before. The team named this asteroid 2020 2020 BX12. Due to the size and orbit of 2020 BX12, it was identified as an asteroid capable of endangering the Earth. This universe is approaching Earth at a distance of 4.3 million km. According to calculations by astronomers, this asteroid will be closer and closer to Earth in the next century.

At the moment, the asteroid's orbit is still not a threat to life on Earth, but this is an opportunity for scientists to learn more about space rocks. On February 4 and 5, the radar station at Arecibo set a target of asteroid 2020 BX12. Based on observations, the scientists discovered that 2020 BX12 is a binary asteroid with a smaller rock orbiting a large rock. About 15% of the larger asteroids previously discovered are usually binary, according to NASA.

Image of binary asteroid 2020 BX12 observed from satellite this year.(Image: Arecibo / NASA / NSF Observatory).

The large rock is likely to be at least 165m long and the small rock considered as the moon of the 2020 asteroid 2020 BX12 has a width of about 70m. When observed by the Arecibo Observatory on February 5, the two rocks are spaced 360m apart. Scientists predict that these two rocks can go through each other's orbit in 45 to 50 hours, the smaller rock can be brighter and always follow the big rock.

Concerns about threats from the universe are the motivation for scientists to study asteroids. By examining the space rocks near the Earth, they will determine the time for man to take precautions. Asteroids are also very interesting scientifically because they represent the formation of the Solar System.

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