20 February 2014
The orbit of near Earth asteroid 2000 EM26
Credit: NASA/JPL
On 18 February 2014, a small asteroid (up to 270 meters across), known as 2000 EM26, flew by Earth, passing about 3 million km, or nine times the average Earth-Moon distance, from our planet.
This asteroid, classified as a near Earth object, whose orbit brings it to Earth's vicinity, was discovered on 5 March 2000. As it has not been observed since 14 March 2000, the orbit of 2000 EM26 was not accurately determined. However, it was known that the closest approach of 2000 EM26 to Earth will be at a safe distance.
Attempts to observe 2000 EM26, during its encounter with Earth, failed, probably due to the low brightness of the asteroid.
References
NASA
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Wikipedia
Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem
Senior Astronomy Specialist