Two quick 2010 AL30 updates

Discover the fascinating details about the 2010 AL30 asteroid and its recent harmless passage by Earth. Is it natural or a booster?

Written byPhil Plait
| 1 min read
Google NewsGoogle News Preferred Source

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news

Sign Up

Two quick things about 2010 AL30, the small object that passed the Earth earlier today: 1) I wrote that it looks to be natural and not some booster, but now an ESA scientist says it might be a booster from Venus Express. His argument is a good one, but it's difficult to prove. 2) Universe Today has a very cool animation of the object as it slid past us, created using 30 still images. It's fun to watch, if a little dizzying.

Meet the Author

Stay Curious

JoinOur List

Sign up for our weekly science updates

View our Privacy Policy

SubscribeTo The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Subscribe