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2024 MK
150m near-Earth object From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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2024 MK is a S-type near-Earth object with a diameter around 150 meters that flew past Earth on June 29, 2024.[1] It was discovered by ATLAS South Africa, Sutherland on 16 June 2024.[2] This asteroid travels in both the main-belt and in the near-Earth region. It passed Earth on 29 June 2024 at a distance of 184,000 miles (295,000 kilometers). That distance is about 0.77 lunar distances (LD).[2] The close approach with Earth changed 2024 MK's orbit, shortening its orbital period by about 24 days. Though Earth's gravity brought it nearer to Earth, the object poses no threat, and the next close approach it will make will be in 3037.[3]
While it was not going to hit Earth, an asteroid of it size could cause considerable damage if it were to hit Earth. The discovery of 2024 MK just a bit before its close encounters with Earth highlights the ongoing need to improve our ability to detect for potentially hazardous asteroids and near-earth asteroids.[4]
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Physical characteristics
Observations have shown that the asteroid 2024 MK is compositionally most analogous to a ordinary L chondrite. There was also no detected surface deposits of water or hydroxide on 2024 MK.[5]
Its close orbital flyby of Earth also did not affect its surface in any major way. If this did have a effect on the asteroid, it was too little to be detected. If 2024 MK surface had been significantly refreshed, it would be more similar to a Q-type asteroid. This means that multiple close planetary encounters are necessary to resurface a asteroid.[5]
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See also
- (415029) 2011 UL₂₁ - a near-Earth object that made close approach on 27 June 2024
- 2024 ON - a near-Earth object that made close approach on 17 September 2024
References
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