Asteroid 2010 WC9 will safely pass at about half’s the moon’s distance on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. Estimates of its size range from 197 to 427 feet making the May 15 pass one of the closest approaches ever observed of an asteroid of this size. This asteroid was “lost” and then found again.
Asteroid 2010 WC9 is an Apollo type space rock. At no time will it be visible to the eye as it sweeps past Earth. It might get as bright as magnitude +11, which would make it bright enough to be seen in amateur telescopes pointed at the correct location and time.
Asteroid 2010 WC9 is travelling through space at a speed of 28,655 miles per hour.
Check out Earth-Sky for more details on Asteroid 2010 WC9
Rod is a blogger, writer, filmmaker, photographer, daydreamer who likes to cook. Rod produces and directs the web series, CUPIC: Diary of an Investigator. He is also the editor, producer and administrator of STM Daily News, a part of the TNC Network.
