Wikipedia

List of asteroid close approaches to Earth in 2020

Below is the list of asteroid close approaches to Earth in 2020.

Time of discovery of asteroids which came closer to Earth than the Moon in 2020
After closest approach: 64 (60.4%)< 24 hours before: 14 (13.2%)up to 7 days before: 26 (24.5%)> one week before: 2 (1.9%)> 7 weeks before: 0 (0.0%)> one year before: 0 (0.0%)
  •   After closest approach: 64 (60.4%)
  •   < 24 hours before: 14 (13.2%)
  •   up to 7 days before: 26 (24.5%)
  •   > one week before: 2 (1.9%)
  •   > 7 weeks before: 0 (0.0%)
  •   > one year before: 0 (0.0%)
Other Years
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Asteroid discoverers by count
Mount Lemmon Survey (G96): 42 (39.6%)Pan-STARRS 1 (F51): 16 (15.1%)Catalina Sky Survey (703): 13 (12.3%)ATLAS-MLO (T08): 11 (10.4%)ATLAS-HKO (T05): 6 (5.7%)Tokyo-Kiso (381): 5 (4.7%)Pan-STARRS 2 (F52): 5 (4.7%)Zwicky Transient facility (I41): 5 (4.7%)Purple Mountain Observatory (D29): 2 (1.9%)L. Buzzi (no code): 1 (0.9%)
  •   Mount Lemmon Survey (G96): 42 (39.6%)
  •   Pan-STARRS 1 (F51): 16 (15.1%)
  •   Catalina Sky Survey (703): 13 (12.3%)
  •   ATLAS-MLO (T08): 11 (10.4%)
  •   ATLAS-HKO (T05): 6 (5.7%)
  •   Tokyo-Kiso (381): 5 (4.7%)
  •   Pan-STARRS 2 (F52): 5 (4.7%)
  •   Zwicky Transient facility (I41): 5 (4.7%)
  •   Purple Mountain Observatory (D29): 2 (1.9%)
  •   L. Buzzi (no code): 1 (0.9%)
Prediction accuracy for asteroids of magnitude 27 or larger predicted to pass within 1 lunar distance of Earth in 2020[note 1]
Unpredicted: 22 (100.0%)Predicted but not observed: 0 (0.0%)Observed but details incorrect: 0 (0.0%)Distance correct but not date: 0 (0.0%)Date correct but not distance: 0 (0.0%)Successfully predicted: 0 (0.0%)
  •   Unpredicted: 22 (100.0%)
  •   Predicted but not observed: 0 (0.0%)
  •   Observed but details incorrect: 0 (0.0%)
  •   Distance correct but not date: 0 (0.0%)
  •   Date correct but not distance: 0 (0.0%)
  •   Successfully predicted: 0 (0.0%)

Timeline of known close approaches less than one lunar distance from Earth

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Radar animation of asteroid 1998 OR2, which came within 16 lunar distances in April 2020

A list of known near-Earth asteroid close approaches less than 1 lunar distance (0.0025696 AU (384,410 km; 238,860 mi)) from Earth in 2020.[note 2]

For reference, the radius of Earth is about 0.0000426 AU (6,370 km; 3,960 mi) or 0.0166 lunar distances. Geosynchronous satellites have an orbit with semi-major axis length of 0.000282 AU (42,200 km; 26,200 mi) or 0.110 lunar distances. A number of known asteroids came closer than this in 2020, notably 2020 CW, 2020 JJ, 2020 QG, and 2020 VT4 which all approached Earth within 0.05 lunar distances.

Two objects have been observed to be temporary satellites of Earth: 2020 CD3 in February 2020 and 2020 SO in September 2020, albeit the latter has been confirmed to be a rocket booster from the Surveyor 2 mission launched in 1966.[1]

The largest asteroid to pass within 1 LD of Earth in 2020 was 2020 LD with an estimated diameter of around 145 meters and an absolute magnitude of 22.4. The fastest asteroid to pass within 1 LD of Earth in 2020 was 2020 FD2 that passed Earth with a velocity with respect to Earth of 33.4 km/s (75,000 mph).[2][note 3]

  Rows highlighted red indicate objects which were not discovered until after closest approach

  Rows highlighted yellow indicate objects discovered less than 24 hours before closest approach

  Rows highlighted green indicate objects discovered more than one week before closest approach

  Rows highlighted turquoise indicate objects discovered more than 7 weeks before closest approach

  Rows highlighted blue indicate objects discovered more than one year before closest approach (i.e.
objects successfully cataloged on a previous orbit, rather than being detected during final approach)

Date of
closest
approach 		Date
discovered 		Object Nominal geocentric distance[note 4] Approx.
size (m) 		(H)
(abs. mag) 		Closer
approach
to Moon[note 5] 		References[3][4]
(AU) (Lunar
distance)
2020-01-02 2020-01-04 2020 AP1 0.002185 AU (326,900 km; 203,100 mi) 0.85 3.2–7.1 29.6 ✓ data · 2020 AP1
2020-01-20 2020-01-22 2020 BK3 0.001998 AU (298,900 km; 185,700 mi) 0.78 11–24 27 — data · 2020 BK3
2020-01-22 2020-01-23 2020 BB5 0.001775 AU (265,500 km; 165,000 mi) 0.69 3.1–6.9 29.8 — data · 2020 BB5
2020-01-25 2020-01-24 2020 BH6 0.000469 AU (70,200 km; 43,600 mi) 0.18 5.2–12 28.5 — data · 2020 BH6
2020-01-27 2020-01-28 2020 BA13 0.001320 AU (197,500 km; 122,700 mi) 0.51 4.6–10 29 — data · 2020 BA13
2020-01-28 2020-01-30 2020 BA15 0.002517 AU (376,500 km; 234,000 mi) 0.98 9–20 27.5 ✓ data · 2020 BA15
2020-01-29 2020-01-28 2020 BZ13 0.000716 AU (107,100 km; 66,600 mi) 0.28 2.9–6.5 29.9 — data · 2020 BZ13
2020-01-31 2020-02-02 2020 CZ 0.002105 AU (314,900 km; 195,700 mi) 0.82 3.7–8.2 29.4 — data · 2020 CZ
2020-01-31 2020-02-02 2020 CJ 0.002362 AU (353,400 km; 219,600 mi) 0.92 11–25 27 ✓ data · 2020 CJ
2020-02-01 2020-02-01 2020 CW 0.000105 AU (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) 0.04 0.83–1.9 32.6 — data · 2020 CW
2020-02-02 2020-02-01 2020 CA 0.001465 AU (219,200 km; 136,200 mi) 0.57 3.2–7.2 29.4 — data · 2020 CA
2020-02-03 2020-01-31 2020 BT14 0.001256 AU (187,900 km; 116,800 mi) 0.49 7.5–17 27.8 — data · 2020 BT14
2020-02-04 2020-02-05 2020 CQ1 0.000431 AU (64,500 km; 40,100 mi) 0.17 4.6–10 28.8 — data · 2020 CQ1
2020-02-13 2020-02-16 2020 DU 0.002172 AU (324,900 km; 201,900 mi) 0.85 4.9–11 28.7 ✓ data · 2020 DU
2020-02-13 2020-02-15 2020 CD3 0.000315 AU (47,100 km; 29,300 mi) 0.12 1.2–2.8 31.7 — data · 2020 CD3
2020-02-14 2020-02-15 2020 CQ2 0.000990 AU (148,100 km; 92,000 mi) 0.39 5–11 28.7 — data · 2020 CQ2
2020-02-18 2020-02-17 2020 DA1 0.001294 AU (193,600 km; 120,300 mi) 0.50 3–6.7 29.7 — data · 2020 DA1
2020-02-18 2020-02-16 2020 DW 0.001612 AU (241,200 km; 149,800 mi) 0.63 2.3–5.1 30.3 — data · 2020 DW
2020-02-25 2020-02-27 2020 DR4 0.000622 AU (93,000 km; 57,800 mi) 0.24 3–6.8 29.7 — data · 2020 DR4
2020-03-14 2020-03-17 2020 FD2 0.002190 AU (327,600 km; 203,600 mi) 0.85 19–43 25.7 — data · 2020 FD2
2020-03-18 2020-03-16 2020 FD 0.001715 AU (256,600 km; 159,400 mi) 0.67 7.9–18 27.6 ✓ data · 2020 FD
2020-03-19 2020-03-23 2020 FG4 0.001262 AU (188,800 km; 117,300 mi) 0.49 10–23 27.1 — data · 2020 FG4
2020-03-22 2020-03-19 2020 FL2 0.000987 AU (147,700 km; 91,700 mi) 0.38 16–35 26.1 — data · 2020 FL2
2020-03-25 2020-03-24 2020 FJ4 0.001716 AU (256,700 km; 159,500 mi) 0.67 3.4–7.6 29.5 — data · 2020 FJ4
2020-03-31 2020-03-31 2020 FB7 0.000521 AU (77,900 km; 48,400 mi) 0.20 16–36 26.1 — data · 2020 FB7
2020-04-01 2020-04-02 2020 GO1 0.000461 AU (69,000 km; 42,900 mi) 0.18 7.9–18 27.6 — data · 2020 GO1
2020-04-03 2020-04-02 2020 GH 0.000837 AU (125,200 km; 77,800 mi) 0.33 4.2–9.3 29 — data · 2020 GH
2020-04-05 2020-04-05 2020 GY1 0.000537 AU (80,300 km; 49,900 mi) 0.21 13–28 26.6 — data · 2020 GY1
2020-04-15 2020-04-16 2020 HO 0.001929 AU (288,600 km; 179,300 mi) 0.75 4.6–10 28.8 — data · 2020 HO
2020-04-15 2020-04-11 2020 GH2 0.002401 AU (359,200 km; 223,200 mi) 0.93 13–28 26.6 — data · 2020 GH2
2020-04-22 2020-04-24 2020 HM6 0.001088 AU (162,800 km; 101,100 mi) 0.42 13–28 26.6 ✓ data · 2020 HM6
2020-04-22 2020-04-23 2020 HF5 0.000979 AU (146,500 km; 91,000 mi) 0.38 12–27 26.7 — data · 2020 HF5
2020-04-22 2020-04-23 2020 HU7 0.000869 AU (130,000 km; 80,800 mi) 0.34 3.1–7 29.6 — data · 2020 HU7
2020-04-24 2020-04-19 2020 HX3 0.001688 AU (252,500 km; 156,900 mi) 0.66 9.8–22 27.2 ✓ data · 2020 HX3
2020-04-26 2020-04-27 2020 HT8 0.000986 AU (147,500 km; 91,700 mi) 0.38 5.8–13 28.3 — data · 2020 HT8
2020-04-27 2020-04-22 2020 HP6 0.000841 AU (125,800 km; 78,200 mi) 0.33 6.4–14 28.1 — data · 2020 HP6
2020-04-28 2020-04-27 2020 HS7 0.000286 AU (42,800 km; 26,600 mi) 0.11 4.1–9.2 29.1 — data · 2020 HS7
2020-04-30 2020-05-02 2020 JG 0.001429 AU (213,800 km; 132,800 mi) 0.55 19–41 25.8 ✓ data · 2020 JG
2020-05-03 2020-05-01 2020 JA 0.001598 AU (239,100 km; 148,500 mi) 0.62 9.6–21 27.2 — data · 2020 JA
2020-05-04 2020-05-04 2020 JJ 0.000090 AU (13,500 km; 8,400 mi) 0.03 2.7–6 30 — data · 2020 JJ
2020-05-05 2020-05-04 2020 JN 0.001666 AU (249,200 km; 154,900 mi) 0.65 9–20 27.4 ✓ data · 2020 JN
2020-05-28 2020-05-26 2020 KF5 0.001652 AU (247,100 km; 153,600 mi) 0.64 3.5–7.8 29.4 — data · 2020 KF5
2020-05-28 2020-05-24 2020 KJ4 0.000959 AU (143,500 km; 89,100 mi) 0.37 2.8–6.2 29.9 — data · 2020 KJ4
2020-05-29 2020-05-26 2020 KC5 0.002470 AU (369,500 km; 229,600 mi) 0.96 9–20 27.4 — data · 2020 KC5
2020-06-05 2020-06-07 2020 LD 0.002051 AU (306,800 km; 190,700 mi) 0.80 89–200 22.4 — data · 2020 LD
2020-06-13 2020-06-16 2020 ML2 0.002378 AU (355,700 km; 221,000 mi) 0.93 6.7–15 28.0 — data · 2020 ML2
2020-07-05 2020-07-06 2020 NB 0.001193 AU (178,500 km; 110,900 mi) 0.46 15–33 26.3 — data · 2020 NB
2020-07-27 2020-07-26 2020 OY4 0.000278 AU (41,600 km; 25,800 mi) 0.11 2.3–5.2 30.3 — data · 2020 OY4
2020-08-01 2020-08-01 2020 PA 0.000387 AU (57,900 km; 36,000 mi) 0.15 4.6–10 28.8 — data · 2020 PA
2020-08-11 2020-08-14 2020 PX5 0.001526 AU (228,300 km; 141,900 mi) 0.59 3.2–7.2 29.6 — data · 2020 PX5
2020-08-12 2020-08-22 2020 QJ5 0.001974 AU (295,300 km; 183,500 mi) 0.77 12–26 26.8 — data · 2020 QJ5
2020-08-14 2020-08-14 2020 PW2 0.001867 AU (279,300 km; 173,500 mi) 0.73 4.9–11 28.7 — data · 2020 PW2
2020-08-16 2020-08-16 2020 QG 0.000062 AU (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) 0.02 2.9–6.4 29.8 — data · 2020 QG
2020-08-18 2020-08-18 2020 QF2 0.001402 AU (209,700 km; 130,300 mi) 0.55 7.1–16 27.9 — data · 2020 QF2
2020-08-20 2020-08-14 2020 PY2 0.002342 AU (350,400 km; 217,700 mi) 0.91 12–28 26.7 ✓ data · 2020 PY2
2020-08-20 2020-08-20 2020 QY2 0.000445 AU (66,600 km; 41,400 mi) 0.17 1.5–3.4 31.2 — data · 2020 QY2
2020-08-21 2020-08-22 2020 QN4 0.001824 AU (272,900 km; 169,600 mi) 0.71 5.1–11 28.6 — data · 2020 QN4
2020-08-22 2020-08-23 2020 QQ4 0.002062 AU (308,500 km; 191,700 mi) 0.80 4.6–10 28.8 — data · 2020 QQ4
2020-08-23 2020-08-25 2020 QR5 0.002144 AU (320,700 km; 199,300 mi) 0.83 9.1–20 27.3 — data · 2020 QR5
2020-09-09 2020-09-12 2020 RE5 0.001639 AU (245,200 km; 152,400 mi) 0.64 4.1–9.2 29.0 — data · 2020 RE5
2020-09-10 2020-09-13 2020 RG10 0.000909 AU (136,000 km; 84,500 mi) 0.35 4.3–9.7 28.9 — data · 2020 RG10
2020-09-13 2020-09-17 2020 SP 0.002218 AU (331,800 km; 206,200 mi) 0.86 9.9–22 27.2 — data · 2020 SP
2020-09-14 2020-09-12 2020 RF3 0.000629 AU (94,100 km; 58,500 mi) 0.24 5.1–11 28.6 — data · 2020 RF3
2020-09-14 2020-09-12 2020 RD4 0.000707 AU (105,800 km; 65,700 mi) 0.28 2.9–6.5 29.8 — data · 2020 RD4
2020-09-17 2020-09-15 2020 RZ6 0.002273 AU (340,000 km; 211,300 mi) 0.88 12–27 26.7 — data · 2020 RZ6
2020-09-19 2020-09-20 2020 SZ2 0.002449 AU (366,400 km; 227,600 mi) 0.95 3.5–7.9 29.4 — data · 2020 SZ2
2020-09-23 2020-09-26 2020 SG6 0.001486 AU (222,300 km; 138,100 mi) 0.58 3.7–8.3 29.3 — data · 2020 SG6
2020-09-24 2020-09-18 2020 SW 0.000188 AU (28,100 km; 17,500 mi) 0.07 4.3–9.7 28.9 — data · 2020 SW
2020-09-24 2020-09-25 2020 SN5 0.001349 AU (201,800 km; 125,400 mi) 0.53 6.1–14 28.2 — data · 2020 SN5
2020-09-26 2020-09-23 2020 SQ4 0.002363 AU (353,500 km; 219,700 mi) 0.92 4.5–10 28.9 — data · 2020 SQ4
2020-10-01 2020-10-04 2020 TA 0.001475 AU (220,700 km; 137,100 mi) 0.57 21–48 25.5 — data · 2020 TA
2020-10-09 2020-10-10 2020 TE5 0.001704 AU (254,900 km; 158,400 mi) 0.15 4.2–9.3 29.0 — data · 2020 TE5
2020-10-12 2020-10-08 2020 TS1 0.001704 AU (254,900 km; 158,400 mi) 0.66 4.0–9.0 29.1 — data · 2020 TS1
2020-10-13 2020-10-15 2020 TD7 0.002273 AU (340,000 km; 211,300 mi) 0.88 11–26 26.8 — data · 2020 TD7
2020-10-14 2020-10-15 2020 TK7 0.000503 AU (75,200 km; 46,800 mi) 0.20 3.2–7.2 29.6 — data · 2020 TK7
2020-10-15 2020-10-17 2020 UE 0.001822 AU (272,600 km; 169,400 mi) 0.71 21–46 25.5 ✓ data · 2020 UE
2020-10-17 2020-10-15 2020 TG6 0.000928 AU (138,800 km; 86,300 mi) 0.36 8.0–18 29.0 — data · 2020 TG6
2020-10-18 2020-10-15 2020 TE6 0.001538 AU (230,100 km; 143,000 mi) 0.60 8.5–19 27.6 ✓ data · 2020 TE6
2020-10-19 2020-10-17 2020 UX 0.001271 AU (190,100 km; 118,100 mi) 0.49 1.6–3.6 31.1 — data · 2020 UX
2020-10-19 2020-10-15 2020 TF1 0.001024 AU (153,200 km; 95,200 mi) 0.40 4.0–9.0 27.5 — data · 2020 TF6
2020-10-21 2020-10-16 2020 UA 0.000298 AU (44,600 km; 27,700 mi) 0.12 5.9–13 28.3 — data · 2020 UA
2020-10-21 2020-10-17 2020 UY 0.002347 AU (351,100 km; 218,200 mi) 0.91 4.3–9.6 29.0 — data · 2020 UY
2020-10-22 2020-10-21 2020 UO3 0.002343 AU (350,500 km; 217,800 mi) 0.91 6.1–14 28.2 ✓ data · 2020 UO3
2020-10-22 2020-10-21 2020 UF3 0.000289 AU (43,200 km; 26,900 mi) 0.11 5.1–11 28.6 — data · 2020 UF3
2020-11-02 2020-11-05 2020 VW 0.001481 AU (221,600 km; 137,700 mi) 0.58 5.4–12 28.4 — data · 2020 VW
2020-11-06 2020-11-10 2020 VO1 0.001157 AU (173,100 km; 107,500 mi) 0.45 6.7–15 28.0 — data · 2020 VO1
2020-11-09 2020-11-09 2020 VR1 0.002540 AU (380,000 km; 236,100 mi) 0.99 4.4–9.8 28.9 — data · 2020 VR1
2020-11-11 2020-11-10 2020 VP1 0.001225 AU (183,300 km; 113,900 mi) 0.49 7.8–17 27.7 ✓ data · 2020 VP1
2020-11-13 2020-11-14 2020 VT4 0.000045 AU (6,700 km; 4,200 mi) 0.02 4.9–11 28.7 — data · 2020 VT4
2020-11-13 2020-11-13 2020 VH5 0.001691 AU (253,000 km; 157,200 mi) 0.66 3.9–8.6 29.2 — data · 2020 VH5
2020-11-24 2020-11-25 2020 WY4 0.000746 AU (111,600 km; 69,300 mi) 0.29 4.4–9.9 28.9 — data · 2020 WY4
2020-11-26 2020-11-27 2020 WG5 0.002416 AU (361,400 km; 224,600 mi) 0.94 7.9–18 27.6 — data · 2020 WG5
2020-11-26 2020-11-27 2020 WF5 0.001346 AU (201,400 km; 125,100 mi) 0.52 7.6–17 27.7 — data · 2020 WF5
2020-11-30 2020-12-04 2020 XC 0.000810 AU (121,200 km; 75,300 mi) 0.32 4.2–9.5 29.0 ✓ data · 2020 XC
2020-12-01 2020-12-04 2020 XE 0.001991 AU (297,800 km; 185,100 mi) 0.77 15–33 26.3 ✓ data · 2020 XE
2020-12-03 2020-12-05 2020 XE1 0.002184 AU (326,700 km; 203,000 mi) 0.85 13–28 26.6 ✓ data · 2020 XE1
2020-12-03 2020-12-05 2020 XF 0.000593 AU (88,700 km; 55,100 mi) 0.23 12–28 26.7 — data · 2020 XF
2020-12-03 2020-11-14 2020 VZ6 0.002332 AU (348,900 km; 216,800 mi) 0.91 25–57 25.1 ✓ data · 2020 VZ6
2020-12-07 2020-12-07 2020 XK1 0.000139 AU (20,800 km; 12,900 mi) 0.05 2.0–4.4 30.6 — data · 2020 XK1
2020-12-08 2020-12-07 2020 XG2 0.000327 AU (48,900 km; 30,400 mi) 0.13 7.0–16 27.9 — data · 2020 XG2
2020-12-16 2020-12-10 2020 XF4 0.002293 AU (343,000 km; 213,100 mi) 0.89 8.8–20 27.4 ✓ data · 2020 XF4
2020-12-18 2020-12-10 2020 XX3 0.000382 AU (57,100 km; 35,500 mi) 0.15 5.4–12 28.5 — data · 2020 XX3
2020-12-19 2020-12-21 2020 YR2 0.001153 AU (172,500 km; 107,200 mi) 0.45 5.4–12 28.5 — data · 2020 YR2
2020-12-20 2020-12-21 2020 YS2 0.000581 AU (86,900 km; 54,000 mi) 0.23 1.7–3.8 31.0 — data · 2020 YS2
2020-12-21 2020-12-21 2020 YJ2 0.002291 AU (342,700 km; 213,000 mi) 0.89 9.4–21 27.3 — data · 2020 YJ2
2020-12-28 2020-12-27 2020 YS4 0.000645 AU (96,500 km; 60,000 mi) 0.25 7.7–17 27.7 — data · 2020 YS4

Warning times by size

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This sub-section visualises the warning times of the close approaches listed in the above table, depending on the size of the asteroid. It shows the effectiveness of asteroid warning systems at detecting close approaches in 2021. The sizes of the charts show the relative sizes of the asteroids to scale. For comparison, the approximate size of a person is also shown. This is based the absolute magnitude of each asteroid, an approximate measure of size based on brightness.

Absolute Magnitude 30 and greater

 
Silhouette of man standing and facing forward

(size of a person for comparison)

 After closest approach: 4 (50.0%)< 24 hours before: 3 (37.5%)up to 7 days before: 1 (12.5%)> one week before: 0 (0.0%)> 7 weeks before: 0 (0.0%)> one year before: 0 (0.0%)

Absolute Magnitude 29-30

 After closest approach: 14 (53.8%)< 24 hours before: 7 (26.9%)up to 7 days before: 5 (19.2%)> one week before: 0 (0.0%)> 7 weeks before: 0 (0.0%)> one year before: 0 (0.0%)

Absolute Magnitude 28-29

 After closest approach: 19 (63.3%)< 24 hours before: 2 (6.7%)up to 7 days before: 8 (26.7%)> one week before: 1 (3.3%)> 7 weeks before: 0 (0.0%)> one year before: 0 (0.0%)

Absolute Magnitude 27-28

 After closest approach: 12 (70.6%)< 24 hours before: 2 (11.8%)up to 7 days before: 3 (17.6%)> one week before: 0 (0.0%)> 7 weeks before: 0 (0.0%)> one year before: 0 (0.0%)

Absolute Magnitude 26-27

 After closest approach: 12 (75.0%)< 24 hours before: 0 (0.0%)up to 7 days before: 4 (25.0%)> one week before: 0 (0.0%)> 7 weeks before: 0 (0.0%)> one year before: 0 (0.0%)

Absolute Magnitude 25-26

 After closest approach: 4 (80.0%)< 24 hours before: 0 (0.0%)up to 7 days before: 0 (0.0%)> one week before: 1 (20.0%)> 7 weeks before: 0 (0.0%)> one year before: 0 (0.0%)

Absolute Magnitude less than 25 (largest)

 After closest approach: 1 (100.0%)< 24 hours before: 0 (0.0%)up to 7 days before: 0 (0.0%)> one week before: 0 (0.0%)> 7 weeks before: 0 (0.0%)> one year before: 0 (0.0%)
  •   After closest approach: 1 (100.0%)
  •   < 24 hours before: 0 (0.0%)
  •   up to 7 days before: 0 (0.0%)
  •   > one week before: 0 (0.0%)
  •   > 7 weeks before: 0 (0.0%)
  •   > one year before: 0 (0.0%)

Predicted close approaches

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Below is the list of predicted close approaches of near-Earth asteroids larger than magnitude 27, that were predicted to occur in 2020.[note 1] This relates to asteroid cataloging systems effectiveness at predicting close approaches in 2020.

For asteroids which were observed but not predicted, see the main list above. In 2020, at the outset of the year, no asteroids were predicted to pass within 1 lunar distance of Earth. Table omitted.

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Absolute magnitude 27 is the estimated magnitude of the Chelyabinsk meteor, which caused widespread damage and injury, but no deaths. Objects smaller than this are excluded.
  2. ^ For a list of current Earth close approaches see Close Approaches and NEO Earth Close Approaches
  3. ^ 2020 FD2 passed Earth with a velocity with respect to Earth of 33.4 km/s and was moving away from the Sun at 38.6 km/s.
  4. ^ Distance from the center of Earth to the center of the object. See the NASA/JPL Solar System Dynamics Glossary: Geocentric. Earth has a radius of approximately 6,400 km (0.0166 LD).
  5. ^ Objects that approached closer to the Moon than Earth are marked with a check.

Additional examples

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Radar image of 2020 BX12 and its satellite during close approach in February 2020
 
Path of 1998 OR2 near close approach to Earth in April 2020

An example list of near-Earth asteroids that passed or will pass more than 1 lunar distance (384,400 km or 0.00256 AU) from Earth in 2020.

Object Size
(meters) 		Nearest approach
(lunar
distances) 		Date Ref
2020 BX12 165 11.34 2020-02-03 JPL · CAD
(163373) 2002 PZ39 700 15.02 2020-02-15 JPL · CAD
(52768) 1998 OR2 1,750 16.36 2020-04-29 JPL · CAD
(388945) 2008 TZ3 350 7.27 2020-05-10 JPL · CAD
(136795) 1997 BQ 1,000 16.02 2020-05-21 JPL · CAD
Planet Venus[note2 1] — 112.3 2020-06-03 JPL
(163348) 2002 NN4 613 13.25 2020-06-06 JPL · CAD
2013 XA22 115 7.62 2020-06-08 JPL · CAD
(441987) 2010 NY65 228 9.78 2020-06-24 JPL · CAD
(8014) 1990 MF 700 21.28 2020-07-23 JPL · CAD
2011 ES4 35 3.85 2020-09-02 JPL · CAD
2014 RC 22 38.58 2020-09-22 JPL · CAD
(159402) 1999 AP10 2,600 31.39 2020-10-19 JPL · CAD
2020 VV 12 8.37 2020-10-21 JPL · CAD
2018 VP1 2-4 1.09+1.07
−11.06[note2 2]		 2020-11-02 JPL · CAD
(7753) 1988 XB 800 25.76 2020-11-22 JPL · CAD
(153201) 2000 WO107 600 11.19 2020-11-29 JPL · CAD
(501647) 2014 SD224 150 7.86 2020-12-25 JPL · CAD
162173 Ryugu 865 23.56 2020-12-29 JPL · CAD

Notes

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  1. ^ For comparison
  2. ^ 2018 VP1 could potentially pass less than 1 lunar distance to Earth, but the chances are fairly low and as such it was not listed in the main table unless followup observations confirm that it will pass less than 1 LD from Earth. A longer observation arc is required to constrain the orbit better. The Earth approach distance has an uncertainty of about 4 million km, ±3 days, and a 1:240 chance of impacting Earth.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "New Data Confirm 2020 SO to be the Upper Centaur Rocket Booster from the 1960's". NASA. 2 December 2020.
  2. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2020 FD2)". Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
  3. ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser". JPL Solar System Dynamics. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
  4. ^ "MPC Database". IAU Minor Planet Center. International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
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