Discovery date 28 November 1994 Alternative names MPO 57659 Discovered 28 November 1994 Absolute magnitude 22 Asteroid group Aten asteroid | MPC designation 1994 WR12 Minor planet category Aten
NEO, PHA Earth moid 0.2 cm Discoverer Carolyn S. Shoemaker | |
Discovered by Carolyn S. Shoemaker
Palomar Observatory (675) Aphelion 1.0576 AU (158.21 Gm) (Q) Similar 2002 MN, (410777) 2009 FD, Solar System, (29075) 1950 DA, 2000 SG344 | ||
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).