On October 31, 2015, Asteroid 2015 TB145 flew within 480,000 kilometers (300,000 miles) of Earth. This series of radar images was taken of the 1,300-foot (400-meter) wide asteroid before its closest approach. This is the closest known flyby of Earth by an object this large. 

The radar images were created using the Deep Space Network antenna in California and the Green Bank telescope in West Virginia. The Deep Space Network antenna beamed a radar signal at the asteroid, and the Green Bank telescope received the reflection. 

Can you find the model of the Deep Space Network antenna? (It’s right behind you.)

Created:

October 31, 2015

ID#:

NASA-PIA20043

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