The near-Earth asteroid 2024 ON, resembling a colossal space peanut or a chunky snowman, has been captured in stunning detail by radar images. These images, taken by NASA’s Goldstone Solar System Radar in California just a day before its close approach to Earth, provide valuable insights into this ancient space rock.
The close-up views reveal 2024 ON’s likely classification as a contact binary—two distinct lobes, one roughly twice the size of the other, connected by a narrow neck. This peculiar shape is not uncommon among asteroids. On September 17th, 2024 ON passed Earth at a distance of approximately 620,000 miles (1 million kilometers). Thanks to the radar data, scientists have refined the asteroid’s estimated length to about 1,150 feet (350 meters). The images also highlight bright spots on the surface, potentially indicating large boulders.
Contact binaries, like 2024 ON, represent a significant portion of near-Earth asteroids. NASA estimates that around 14% of near-Earth asteroids larger than 660 feet (200 meters) exhibit this distinctive peanut shape. The prevailing theory suggests that these formations arise from two separate asteroids drifting close enough to become gravitationally bound, eventually merging into a single body. This phenomenon was observed with the asteroid Selam, a small moonlet orbiting the larger asteroid Dinkinesh, which was revealed to be a contact binary after NASA’s Lucy spacecraft conducted a close flyby in November 2023. Radar imagery remains a crucial tool for identifying contact binaries when a spacecraft flyby isn’t feasible.
While classified as potentially hazardous due to its proximity to Earth’s orbit (within 4.65 million miles or 7.5 million kilometers), 2024 ON poses no immediate threat to our planet. This classification simply flags asteroids requiring close monitoring to ensure any trajectory changes don’t put them on a collision course with Earth. The recent radar measurements significantly improve the accuracy of 2024 ON’s distance from Earth and its projected trajectory for decades to come.
Asteroid 2024 ON previously approached Earth in 2013 and is projected to make another close pass in 2035. These close approaches offer invaluable opportunities for scientists to gather precise measurements and gain a closer look at the often unusual shapes of these celestial bodies. These observations contribute to a deeper understanding of the composition and behavior of asteroids, enhancing our ability to track and potentially mitigate any future threats.
These flybys provide crucial data for scientists, allowing them to refine their understanding of these space rocks and their potential impact on Earth. The continuing study of asteroids like 2024 ON plays a vital role in planetary defense and our broader understanding of the solar system.
