|
Discovery[1] and
designation
|
|
|---|---|
| Discovered by | MIT Lincoln Laboratory |
| Discovery date | June 17, 2002 |
| Epoch JD 2454200.5 | |
| Aphelion | 1.8153 AU |
| Perihelion | 0.91143 AU |
| Eccentricity | 0.4979 |
| Orbital period | 893.3 d |
| Mean anomaly | 3.9° |
| Inclination | 1.0471° |
| Longitude of ascending node | 85.1046° |
| Argument of perihelion | 131.666° |
| Dimensions | 70 m |
| Mass | 5.4×108 kg |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 23.3 |
2002 MN is the provisional name given to an asteroid that on June 14, 2002 missed the Earth by only 75,000 miles (120,000 km.), about one third the distance to the Moon (0.3 LD). According to NASA, it was the second closest approach to Earth in recorded history[1]. Its mass and relative velocity were in the same general range as the object ascribed to the Tunguska event of 1908, which levelled over 800 square miles (2,100 km2) of trees in Siberia.
   | CNN article: "Surprise asteroid nearly hits home" - CNN.com - Surprise asteroid nearly hits home - June 21, 2002 |
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