Another recently discovered space rock will pass safely in front of Earth, this one, on March 25, 2023. It will travel about half the distance between Earth and the Moon. Astronomers at the La Palma Observatory in Spain’s Canary Islands discovered the asteroid in late February 2023. Amateur astronomers can get a glimpse of the asteroid as it passes by quickly. Look at the charts at the bottom of this article.
Closest approach to Earth is believed to occur around 7:51 PM UTC (3:51 PM EST) on March 25. But the exact time and other details could be updated as more views become available.
The asteroid has been named 2023 DZD 2. It is part of Apollo family from asteroids. Current estimates put the 2023 DZ2 in size around 210 feet (64 meters) in diameter.
As of March 20, 2023, there have been 142 observations of the asteroid’s new orbit for a period of 65 days. The new observations will better define the space rock’s orbit and allow scientists to get a more accurate estimate of its size, which could be between 141 and 312 feet (43 and 95 meters) in diameter.
For comparison, the asteroid that passed over Chelyabinsk, Russia in February 2013 was a space rock about 20 meters in diameter. Watch a video of size comparisons in asteroids here.
2023 DZ2 classified NEO (Near-Earth Object). It revolves around the sun every 3.16 years.
Low risk of impact in 2026
As with many newly discovered asteroids – whose orbits are not entirely known – analysis From the space rock track indicates the probability that the asteroid will hit Earth on March 27, 2026 as 1 in 38,000,000.
But with other sightings, astronomers are likely to rule out even such small risks.
visible in small telescopes
Asteroid 2023 DZ2 will pass within 0.5 moons (half the distance between Earth and the Moon) from Earth’s surface. The relative proximity will allow observers to see the space rock in telescopes six inches (15 cm) in diameter and larger.
The space rock is moving at 17,403 mph (28,008 km/h), or 7.78 km/s, relative to Earth. Although it feels like a huge speed compared to what we experience on Earth, it is a relatively slow asteroid unlike other space rocks that astronomers have studied.
Since the asteroid will pass half the distance between Earth and the Moon, the small distance will make it appear as a “slow star” in the field of a small telescope. And you might even be able to detect its movement in real time!
One of the best techniques sky enthusiasts use to catch an asteroid is to point the telescope at a known star in the asteroid’s path. Next, wait for the slowly moving space rock to appear. Fortunately, many small telescopes now include a computerized Go-To manual control. So you can point the instrument at a reference star to get a glimpse of the passing object.
When is the best time to see asteroid 2023 DZ2?
We’ve found that the best time to view asteroid 2023 DZ2 from the Northern Hemisphere will be early Friday night, March 24, 2023. Good luck and clear skies!
Bottom line: Newly discovered asteroid 2023 DZ2 will safely pass Earth less than half the distance from the Moon on March 25, 2023. People with telescopes should be able to spot the visitor.