Friday Flyby May Trigger ‘Asteroid-Quake’ on Space Rock
The close flyby of Earth by asteroid 2012 DA14 on Friday (Feb. 15) could trigger a quake on the space rock, scientists say.
“We are going to be looking closely for evidence of seismic activity on 2014 DA14 as it passes by,” Richard Binzel, a professor of planetary science at MIT, said in a statement. “This is the first case of an object coming close enough to experience quakes and where we have enough notice to plan observations.”
During the unprecedented close approach, 2012 DA14, which is about half the size of a football field, will cruise within 17,200 miles (27,700 kilometers) of the planet. It poses no threat to Earth, but the flyby marks the first time scientists like Binzel have had the chance to observe such a big space rock this close-up.
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