The VLT images the very faint near-Earth object 2009 FD
The faint spot at the centre of this picture from ESO's Very Large Telescope is the Near-Earth Object 2009 FD. It may look insignificant, but there was a possibility that this asteroid would collide with the Earth in the future and cause devastation. Fortunately the latest VLT observations, part of a collaboration with the European Space Agency, have shown that this is much less likely than initially feared.
The stars in this picture appear trailed as the telescope was tracking the motion of the asteroid during the exposures.
Credit:ESO
Over de afbeelding
Id: | ann14004a |
Type: | Observatie |
Publicatiedatum: | 21 januari 2014 12:00 |
Gerelateerde mededelingen: | ann14004 |
Grootte: | 1000 x 754 px |
Over het object
Naam: | 2009 FD |
Type: | Solar System : Interplanetary Body : Asteroid |
Categorie: | Solar System |
Kleuren & filters
Band | Telescoop |
---|---|
Optisch | Very Large Telescope FORS1 |