Anne Virkki, director of planetary radar at the Arecibo Observatory, poses with a face mask and a radar image of the 1998 OR2 asteroid.
Arecibo Observatory
We see signs of Coronavirus pandemic we look everywhere. Even astronomers cannot help but recognize face masks in space. The Arecibo Observatory In Puerto Rico, an asteroid called 1998 OR2 is tracked and a radar view of the traveler is taken, which makes him look like he has a face mask.
The asteroid will soon come close to Earth, but will pass at a safe distance. The University of Central Florida shared one Radar image of the “masked” asteroid on Thursday.
The “masked” 1998 OR2 asteroid seen in this radar image from the Arecibo Observatory will pass Earth at a safe social distance.
Arecibo Observatory
“The small-scale topographical features such as hills and ridges at one end of the 1998 OR2 asteroid are scientifically fascinating.” Research scientist Anne Virkki said. “But since we’re all thinking about COVID-19, it looks like OR2 thought about wearing a mask in 1998.”
We have seen some fun radar views of asteroids in the past, including one that looked like a hippopotamus and another one resembled tumbling cubes. The blurred images offer plenty of room for active fantasies.
Radar observations help scientists learn more about asteroids and their orbits. This will not be the asteroid’s last visit to our neighborhood. “In 2079, the 1998 OR2 asteroid will pass Earth about 3.5 times closer than this year, so it’s important to know its orbit.” The scientist Flaviane Venditti said.
The 1998 OR2 asteroid is approximately 2 kilometers in diameter and will be closest on April 29th. Future pictures may give us a better view of the rock and its mask-like facade.