2021 TP21 is an Apophis-sized asteroid that was discovered on 11 October 2021 when it was 0.5 AU (75 million km) from Earth.[1] This potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) spends most or its orbit closer to 4 AU (600 million km) from the Sun as objects orbit more slowly when near aphelion (furthest distance from the Sun). 2021 TP21 was rated with a Torino scale of 1 from 31 October 2021 to 4 November 2021 for a potential impact on 27 March 2081.[3] As the observation arc became longer the nominal distance from Earth became further on the potential impact date.
| Observation arc (in days) |
JPL Horizons nominal geocentric distance (AU) |
uncertainty region (3-sigma) |
Impact probability (1 in) |
Torino scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 0.17 AU (25 million km)[5] | ± 1.5 billion km[5] | 100000 | 0 |
| 19 | 1.4 AU (210 million km)[6] | ± 870 million km[6] | 50000[3] | 1[3] |
| 57 | 2.5 AU (370 million km)[7] | ± 18 million km[7] | 0 | 0 |
See also
References
- ^ a b "MPEC 2021-U10 : 2021 TP21". IAU Minor Planet Center. 17 October 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021. (K21T21P)
- ^ a b "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2021 TP21)". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d "(Archive 31 October 2021): ESA Risk-List". European Space Agency (ESA). Archived from the original on 31 October 2021.
- ^ "2021 TP21 Orbit". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ a b "JPL Horizons Archive: 2021 TP21 geocentric distance and uncertainty with 17 day arc". JPL Horizons. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021.
- ^ a b "JPL Horizons Archive: 2021 TP21 geocentric distance and uncertainty with 19 day arc". JPL Horizons. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021.
- ^ a b "JPL Horizons Archive: 2021 TP21 geocentric distance and uncertainty with 57 day arc". JPL Horizons. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021.
External links
- 2021 TP21 at NeoDyS-2, Near Earth Objects—Dynamic Site
- 2021 TP21 at ESA–space situational awareness
- 2021 TP21 at the JPL Small-Body Database
