1994 WR12
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by |
Carolyn S. Shoemaker Palomar Observatory (675) |
| Discovery date | 28 November 1994 |
| Designations | |
| MPC designation | 1994 WR12 |
| MPO 57659 | |
Aten  NEO, PHA |
|
| Orbital characteristics | |
| Epoch 27 December 1994 (JD 2449713.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 8 | |
| Aphelion | 1.0576 AU (158.21 Gm) (Q) |
| Perihelion | 0.45616 AU (68.241 Gm) (q) |
| 0.75686 AU (113.225 Gm) (a) | |
| Eccentricity | 0.39730 (e) |
| 0.66 yr (240.5 d) | |
| 174.83° (M) | |
| 1.4969°/day (n) | |
| Inclination | 6.8639° (i) |
| 63.068° (Ω) | |
| 205.68° (ω) | |
| Earth MOID | 0.00235897 AU (352,897 km) |
| Jupiter MOID | 4.02184 AU (601.659 Gm) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | ~130 meters |
| Mass | 2.9×109 kg (assumed) |
| 22.0 | |
1994 WR12 (also written 1994 WR12) is a near-Earth asteroid with a poorly known orbit. It was first imaged on 26 November 1994, and was discovered on 28 November 1994 by Carolyn S. Shoemaker at Palomar Observatory (675). It has a diameter of about 130 meters, and is listed on the Sentry Risk Table. The next good chance to observe the asteroid may not be until November 2044 when the orbital uncertainty will allow it to pass somewhere between 0.03–0.19 au from Earth.
Virtual clones of the asteroid that fit the uncertainty in the known trajectory show 125 potential impacts between 2054 and 2113. It has about a cumulative 1 in 10000 chance of impacting the Earth. The poorly known trajectory of this asteroid (uncertainty=8) is further complicated by close approaches to Venus and Mercury.
It is estimated that an impact would produce the equivalent of 77 megatons of TNT, roughly 1.5 times that of most powerful nuclear weapon ever detonated (Tsar Bomba).
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