Discovery and physical characterization as the first response to a potential asteroid collision: the case of 2023 DZ2
Context. Near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) that may evolve into impactors deserve detailed threat assessment studies. Early physical characterization of a would-be impactor may help in optimizing impact mitigation plans. We first detected NEA 2023 DZ2 on 27–February–2023. After that, it was found to have...
| Autores: | , , |
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| Formato: | artículo |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2023 |
| País: | España |
| Recursos: | Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) |
| Repositorio: | Docta Complutense |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/87219 |
| Acesso em linha: | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/87219 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palavra-chave: | Astrofísica (Matemáticas) 21 Astronomía y Astrofísica |
| Resumo: | Context. Near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) that may evolve into impactors deserve detailed threat assessment studies. Early physical characterization of a would-be impactor may help in optimizing impact mitigation plans. We first detected NEA 2023 DZ2 on 27–February–2023. After that, it was found to have a Minimum Orbit Intersection Distance (MOID) with Earth of 0.00005 au as well as an unusually high initial probability of becoming a near-term (in 2026) impactor. Aims. We aim to perform a rapid but consistent dynamical and physical characterization of 2023 DZ2 as an example of a key response to mitigate the consequences of a potential impact. Methods. We use a multi-pronged approach, drawing from various methods (observational/computational) and techniques (spectroscopy/photometry from multiple instruments), and bringing the data together to perform a rapid and robust threat assessment. Results. The visible reflectance spectrum of 2023 DZ2 is consistent with that of an X-type asteroid. Light curves of this object obtained on two different nights give a rotation period P=6.2743±0.0005 min with an amplitude A=0.57±0.14 mag. We confirm that although its MOID is among the smallest known, 2023 DZ2 will not impact Earth in the foreseeable future as a result of secular near-resonant behaviour. Conclusions. Our investigation shows that coordinated observation and interpretation of disparate data provides a robust approach from discovery to threat assessment when a virtual impactor is identified. We prove that critical information can be obtained within a few days after the announcement of the potential impactor. |
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