Monday, January 26, 2009

Nearby Asteroid Found

Even after five decades of space exploration, new stuff can turn up right in our backyard.

The asteroid currently designated 2009 BD seems to travel in essentially the same orbit Earth does, staying just beyond the Moon. The body is tiny, which is no doubt why it hasn't been noticed until now. At roughly 30 feet in diameter, it would not be a Doomsday rock even if it collided with Earth, and there's no reason to think it will ever do that.

Indeed, it could be a boon. If NASA wants to fly a manned mission beyond the Moon sometime in the near future, 2009 BD seems a convenient first target.

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