In the quiet of September 2020, NASA had its eyes on the sky, not for stars or galaxies, but for a small, speeding object: an asteroid. This wasn't just any asteroid, but one that was hurtling towards Earth at a whopping 28,659 miles per hour. Named 2020 QL2, this space rock was on a close approach trajectory, making it a subject of intense interest and study for the space agency.
NASA's Asteroid Tracker: The Center for Near-Earth Object Studies
NASA's tracking of asteroids is no casual hobby. It's a critical mission carried out by the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. The CNEOS is responsible for detecting, tracking, and characterizing near-Earth objects (NEOs) that could potentially pose an impact hazard to Earth. In the case of 2020 QL2, they were on the job, monitoring its path and calculating its trajectory.
2020 QL2: A Close Encounter of the Asteroidal Kind
Discovered on August 22, 2020, by the Catalina Sky Survey, 2020 QL2 was initially classified as an Apollo-type asteroid, meaning it has an orbit that intersects Earth's. However, further observations by NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies reclassified it as an Aten-type asteroid, which has an orbit entirely within Earth's orbit. This reclassification made 2020 QL2's September 14, 2020, flyby even more intriguing.
At its closest approach, 2020 QL2 passed within about 19,000 miles (30,600 kilometers) of Earth's surface. To put that into perspective, that's roughly a quarter of the distance from Earth to the Moon. While this might seem close, it's important to note that 2020 QL2 posed no threat to Earth. Its size, estimated to be around 10-20 meters (33-66 feet) in diameter, was too small to cause any significant impact if it had entered Earth's atmosphere.
Size Matters: Why 2020 QL2 Was No Threat
Asteroids come in all shapes and sizes, and their potential impact on Earth varies greatly depending on their mass. 2020 QL2, while traveling at high speed, was simply too small to cause any damage. It would have likely burned up in Earth's atmosphere, creating a beautiful, if brief, meteor shower. In contrast, the asteroid that caused the Chicxulub impactor, believed to have led to the extinction of the dinosaurs, was estimated to be around 10-15 kilometers (6-9 miles) in diameter.
NASA's Plan to Protect Earth from Asteroid Impacts
While 2020 QL2 was no threat, NASA takes the possibility of asteroid impacts very seriously. The space agency has an ongoing mission to detect and track near-Earth objects, with the goal of identifying and characterizing at least 90% of the estimated 25,000 near-Earth objects larger than 140 meters (460 feet) in diameter by the end of 2020. This is part of NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, which is responsible for detecting, tracking, and characterizing potentially hazardous asteroids and comets that could pose an impact hazard to Earth.
In addition to detection and tracking, NASA is also exploring ways to deflect potentially hazardous asteroids. One method being studied is the "kinetic impactor" technique, where a spacecraft would collide with the asteroid, altering its trajectory. Another is the "gravity tractor" method, where a spacecraft would fly alongside the asteroid, using its gravity to slowly pull the asteroid off course.
Public Engagement and Education: A Key Part of NASA's Mission
NASA's work in detecting and tracking near-Earth objects isn't just about protecting Earth from potential impacts. It's also about engaging and educating the public about the wonders of the universe. The space agency regularly updates its website with information about close approaches, and it encourages the public to report any sightings of fireballs or meteor showers. By engaging the public in its mission, NASA not only increases awareness about the potential hazards of asteroids but also fosters a greater appreciation for the cosmos.
So, while 2020 QL2 may have been a close encounter, it was also a reminder of the fascinating and sometimes frightening world of asteroids. And NASA, with its ongoing mission to detect, track, and protect, is at the forefront of our defense against these cosmic projectiles.
