(29075) 1950 DA

From Freepedia

Image:1950da color 150.jpg

(29075) 1950 DA is an asteroid considered to be the near Earth object with the highest known probability of crashing into Earth, according to the Palermo Technical Impact Hazard Scale. However, for a few days in December 2004 it was temporarily surpassed by 99942 Apophis (which at the time was named only by its provisional designation 2004 MN₄).

This Mars-crosser asteroid was first discovered on February 23, 1950 by Carl A. Wirtanen at Lick Observatory; it was observed for 17 days and then faded from view for half a century. Then, an object discovered on December 31, 2000 (provisionally designated 2000 YK₆₆) was recognized as being the long-lost 1950 DA.

It has been given the number 29075, but does not have a name.

General information

Radar observations were made at the Goldstone and Arecibo Observatory from March 3 to 7, 2001 during the asteroid's 7.8 Gm approach to the Earth (a distance 21 times larger than that separating the Earth and Moon). Radar echoes revealed a slightly asymmetrical spheroid with a mean diameter of 1.1 km. Optical observations showed the asteroid rotated once every 2.1 hours, the second fastest spin rate ever observed for an asteroid its size.

Due to its relatively fast spin, it is thought to be fairly dense. If it continues on its present orbit, it will approach near to the Earth on March 16, 2880 with the probability of impact being ¹⁄₃₀₀. The energy released by a collision with 1950 DA could cause an extinction event, destroying most life on the planet. Current calculations show that it would hit the North Atlantic ocean, creating a monstrous tsunami.

Since the re-discovery of 1950 DA, scientists have been considering various asteroid deflection strategies.