These first radar images of 2015 TB145 from the National Science Foundation's 1,000-foot (305-meter) Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, indicate the near-Earth object is spherical in shape and approximately 2,000 feet (600 meters) in diameter. The radar images were taken on Oct. 30, 2015, and the image resolution is 25 feet (7.5 meters) per pixel.
The celestial object is more than likely a dead comet that has shed its volatiles after numerous passes around the sun.
Name | Value | Additional Values |
---|---|---|
Target | 2015 TB145 | |
System | Near Earth Objects | |
Target Type | Asteroid | |
Mission | National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC) | |
Instrument Host | Arecibo Observatory | |
Host Type | Ground-Based Observatory | |
Instrument | Arecibo Radar | |
Detector | ||
Extra Keywords | Grayscale, Radar | |
Acquisition Date | ||
Release Date | 2015-10-30 | |
Date in Caption | 2015-10-30 | |
Image Credit | NAIC-Arecibo/NSF | |
Source | photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA20040 | |
Identifier | PIA20040 |