2004 VD17

Encyclopedia : 2 : 20 : 200 : 2004 VD17

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**2004 VD₁₇**
Orbital elements
Eccentricity (orbit)>e
Inclination>i	°
Perihelion>q	AU
Argument of perihelion>ω	°
Semi-major axis>a	AU
Longitude of the ascending node>ω	°
Aphelion>Q	AU
Mean anomaly>M	°
Orbital period>P	years
Mean motion>n	°/day
Time of perihelion passage>TP

2004 VD₁₇ (also written 2004 VD17) is a near-Earth asteroid with a low but non-zero probability of impacting Earth in 2102. From February to May 2006 it was listed with a Torino Scale impact risk value of 2, only the second asteroid in risk monitoring history to be rated above value 1. The impact risk value dropped to 1 after additional observations on May 20, 2006

Current estimates give the asteroid about a 1 in 63,000 chance that it will collide with Earth on May 4, 2102. If that happens, the energy released by the impact would be an estimated 14,400 megatons of TNT, and result in at least regional scale devastation.

2004 VD₁₇ was discovered on November 7, 2004 by the NASA-funded LINEAR asteroid survey. The object is estimated at 500-1,200 metres in diameter with a mass of a few 10¹¹ kg.

It was last observed on May 24, 2006, and its Palermo Scale rating is currently -1.94. Further observations will improve the orbit estimate and may determine whether the asteroid is on impact course with Earth or not.

2004 VD₁₇ has led the Earth-impact hazard list since November 22, 2004, supplanted for a few days in late December 2004 by 99942 Apophis (then known only by its provisional designation 2004 MN₄) which was briefly rated 4 on the Torino Scale.

On March 20, 2006, 2004 VD₁₇'s observation arc increased from 487 to 1,482 days because of additional reporting of positions from February 16, 2002, while observations on May 20, 2006 increased the observation arc to 1,553 days and lowered its Torino scale to level 1.

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2004 VD17

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