2018 BF₃

2018 BF₃ is a micro-asteroid, classified as a near-Earth object of the Apollo group, approximately 20 meters (70 ft) in diameter. It was first observed on 20 January 2018, by astronomers of the Catalina Sky Survey at Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona, United States,^[1] the day after the closest flyby, due to its approach from the direction of the Sun.

Description

2018 BF₃ orbits the Sun at a distance of 0.8–2.3 

On 19 January 2018, the object passed at a nominal distance of only 0.00162 AU; 150,000 mi (242,000 km) from Earth.[2] This corresponds to 0.63 LD.^[3] Close approaches are projected for 28 October 2019 and 26 August 2021, both at a much larger distance (0.24 AU).^[2]

2018 flyby: Its path across the sky on 19 January was east to west (2 hour positions shown) (left). Seen from space, it passes just outside geosynchronous orbit (right).

Physical characteristics

The

This minor planet has not yet been numbered.^[1]

See also

• List of asteroid close approaches to Earth in 2018

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2018 BF3.

• 2018 BF3 at NeoDyS-2, Near Earth Objects—Dynamic Site
  • Ephemerides · Observation prediction · Orbital info · MOID · Proper elements · Observational info · Close approaches · Physical info · Orbit animation
• 2018 BF3 at ESA–space situational awareness
  • Ephemerides · Observations · Orbit · Physical properties · Summary
• 2018 BF3 at the JPL Small-Body Database
  • Close approach · Discovery · Ephemeris · Orbit diagram · Orbital elements · Physical parameters