Title: Detection of radiation pressure acting on 2009 BD Authors: Marco Micheli, David J. Tholen, Garrett T. Elliott
We report the direct detection of radiation pressure on the asteroid 2009 BD, one of the smallest multi-opposition near-Earth objects currently known, with H ~ 28.4. Under the purely gravitational model of NEODyS the object is currently considered a possible future impactor, with impact solutions starting in 2071. The detection of a radiation-related acceleration allows us to estimate an Area to Mass Ratio (AMR) for the object, that can be converted (under some assumptions) into a range of possible values for its average density. Our result AMR = (2.97 ±0.33) x 10^(-4) m^2 kg^(-1) is compatible with the object being of natural origin, and it is narrow enough to exclude a man-made nature. The possible origin of this object, its future observability, and the importance of radiation pressure in the impact monitoring process, are also discussed.
2009 BD will approach within 0.0023 AU (~0.90 lunar distances) on June 2, 2011, and will remain within 10 lunar distances of Earth for two months starting in early May. Due to the close approach, 2009 BD should be a strong radar target, and the short round-trip travel times will require bistatic observations by transmitting at DSS-14 and receiving with DSS-13. Other than its absolute magnitude, nothing is known about the physical properties of this object. 2009 BD will remain too close to the Sun for optical observations until early June when the solar elongations rapidly increase to more than 100 degrees. Goldstone radar observations are scheduled on May 28, 29, and 30 and on June 5 and 7.
The 5.7 - 13 metre wide asteroid 2009 BD will make a close pass (0.9 lunar distances, 0.0023 AU), travelling at 0.73 km/second, to the Earth-Moon system on the 2nd June, 2011 @ 00:51 UT ±00:01.
A 10-metre wide asteroid is set to pass between the earth and moon on Thursday, June 2 next. However, scientists claim it is of no threat to the Earth. Asteroid 2009 BD, which was first observed on 16 January 2009 will pass approximately within 0.9 lunar distances (the distance between Earth and the Moon) of earth. Astronomers believe the rock is a rare "co-orbital asteroid" which follows the orbit of the Earth, not receding more than 0.1 AU (15 million km) away. Source
A 10-meter wide asteroid is set to pass between the earth and moon on June 2, but scientists say it is of no threat to Earth. Asteroid 2009 BD, which was first observed on January 16, 2009, will pass within 0.9 lunar distances (the distance between Earth and the Moon) of Earth. Astronomers believe the rock is a rare co-orbital asteroid which follows the orbit of the Earth, not receding more than 0.1 AU (15 million km) away. Read more
The 5.7 - 13 metre wide asteroid 2009 BD will make a close pass (10.6 lunar distances, 0.0272 AU), travelling at 0.73 km/second, to the Earth-Moon system on the 12th July, 2010 @ 02:21 UT.
Update: The 5.7 - 13 metre wide asteroid 2009 BD will make a close pass (9.1 lunar distances, 0.0235 AU), travelling at 0.89 km/second, to the Earth-Moon system on the 7th May, 2010.