Press Release

NAS RA V. Ambartsumian Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO)
Press release 26.01.2023

A RECENTLY DISCOVERED ASTEROID PASSING EXCEPTIONALLY CLOSE TO EARTH

On January 26, we witnessed one of the closest asteroid approaches ever recorded. Tiny 2023 BU whizzed only about 3,600 kilometers (2,200 miles) from the planet's surface. The flyby was perfectly safe. The audacious space rock was only about 5 meters (16 feet) across, about the same size as a 2023 Chevy Silverado. Even if it were to strike the atmosphere, it would shatter to bits. In a worst-case scenario, a fractured asteroid of its size would pepper the ground with a smattering of meteorites.

Small, near-Earth asteroids are discovered almost daily thanks to robotic searches like the Catalina Sky Survey as well as by amateur astronomers. In fact, it was astronomer Gennadiy Borisov who first laid eyes on 2023 BU. He imaged it from Crimea on January 21, about five days before its closest approach. He is also known for discovering of 2I/Borisov, the first known interstellar comet.

Objects the size of 2023 BU impact the planet about once a year. After atmospheric fragmentation, pieces occasionally survive and fall harmlessly to the ground over a large oval-shape area called a strewn field.

Meline Asryan