(29075) 1950 DA

(29075) 1950 DA is the Objet geocroisor which has strongest known Probabilité of impact with the Ground, according to the scale of Palermo. During a few days in December 2004, it was temporarily exceeded by (99942) Apophis (which at the time was only known under its provisional Désignation).

1950 DA were discovered the first time the February 23rd 1950 by Carl A. Wirtanen with the Observatoire Lick. It was observed during 17 days then lost during one half-century. An object discovered the December 31st 2000 (indicated temporarily) was recognized as being 1950 DA.

The asteroid received number 29075 but does not bear a name. Wirtanen had the rights of naming as a first discoverer. To its death, these rights returned to the UAI, which will be able to possibly to assign a name in the future him.

General information

The observations radar with Goldstone and the Observatoire of Arecibo of the 3 to the March 7th 2001 at the time of the passage of the asteroid with 7,8 million km of the Earth give an average diameter from 1,1 to 1,4 km. The curves of light made by Petr Pravec show that the period of rotation of the asteroid is 2,1216 hours.

Because of its short period of rotation, 1950 DA are probably rather dense (more than 3.0 g/cm ³).

If 1950 DA continue its current orbit, it will again approach the Earth the March 16th, 2880. In the course of time, the rotation of the asteroid will modify its orbit (by the Effet Yarkovsky). An preliminary analysis shows two possible trajectories. One of the trajectories passes to tens of million kilometers of the Earth, while the other has a probability of impact of 1⁄300. The observations radar are currently réanalysées, in combination with the curves of light.

The energy released by the collision of an object of the size of 1950 DA would have major effects on the Climat and the Biosphère, with disastrous consequences for the Humanité.

The discovery of the potential impact reinforced the interest for Stratégies of deflection of asteroid.

See also

References

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