In 2022, NASA intents to send a probe crashing into an asteroid called Dydimos. The purpose is to cause a deflection from its original course. 2009JF1 is a similar asteroid but NASA does not consider it to be a serious threat. However, they are still considering taking all necessary measures and precautions to circumvent a possible collision.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has placed asteroid 2009JF1 in its Risk List because it has a non-zero chance of colliding with the earth. It is also classified as an Apollo asteroid, a near-earth asteroid that orbits around the sun at a greater extent than the earth (greater than 1 AU). There are two certain points in the orbit when the earth and the asteroid are bound to cross paths, automatically generating the possibility of an impact.
NASA and ESA’s joint venture, the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment is a proposed asteroid deflection program. It is currently targeting the small moon of asteroid Didymos. This mission has been designed to avoid a disastrous and cataclysmic event. If successful, it can also be used for asteroid 2009JF1.
Asteroid 2009JF1 has a diameter of 13m (42.6ft and an impressive speed of 44,309 km/h. Its expected date of encounter is May 6th, 2022. Currently, it is 573 million km from the earth, getting 0.83km closer to us with each passing second.
It was first discovered in 2009 when it passed with an incredible speed between the earth and moon. Upon impact, the speed of asteroid would be about 26 km per second. It has a collision chance of about 1 in 3800 with its next run in 2022.
To track or to get further details about Asteroid 2009 JF1, and many others detected so far, go to spacein3d.com.