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Near Earth Object Approach Records
Data Science and Analytics
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About
Close approaches to Earth by Near Earth Objects (NEOs) are documented in this dataset, spanning a time range of 1900 A.D. through 2200 A.D. This material provides essential observational and calculated parameters for understanding the dynamics and potential risks associated with asteroids and comets passing near our planet. It focuses specifically on encounters where uncertainty levels are reasonably low, offering high-quality input for astronomical research and risk analysis.
Columns
- Object: The primary designation of the Near Earth Object.
- Close-Approach (CA) Date: The date and time (TDB) when the object achieves its closest approach to Earth.
- CA Distance Nominal (au): The most probable close-approach distance, measured in astronomical units (au).
- CA Distance Minimum (au): The smallest possible close-approach distance, measured from the centre of the Earth to the centre of the NEO, in astronomical units.
- V relative (km/s): The velocity of the object relative to Earth at the moment of close-approach.
- V infinity (km/s): The velocity of the object relative to a massless Earth at the moment of close-approach.
- H (mag): The asteroid's absolute magnitude. Generally, a smaller H value indicates a larger diameter. This value is undefined for comets.
- Diameter: The estimated diameter value, or a range (minimum to maximum) if the specific value is unknown.
- Rarity: A metric indicating the frequency of the Earth close approach for asteroids of a similar or larger size. For example, 0 denotes an average frequency of 100 per year, while 3 corresponds to roughly once per decade. 'n/a' is used when an estimate is unavailable.
Distribution
The data is provided in a CSV file format (
NEO Earth Close Approaches.csv) and contains approximately 35.9 thousand valid records. The file size is 3.97 MB and consists of 9 columns. Expected updates to this dataset occur on a quarterly basis.Usage
This material is ideally suited for models requiring historical and projected data on celestial dynamics. Potential uses include planetary defence research, orbital mechanics studies, assessment of collision risk probabilities, and creating visualisations of astronomical events. It is a valuable resource for identifying trends in the proximity of NEOs over centuries.
Coverage
The data covers Earth close approaches, with a defined time frame from 1900 A.D. up to 2200 A.D. Records outside this 300-year range are not included. Furthermore, the selection is restricted to encounters that possess reasonably low uncertainty levels, ensuring data reliability for critical calculations. Coverage is based purely on astronomical observation and calculation parameters.
License
CC0: Public Domain
Who Can Use It
- Astronomical Researchers: For studying orbital pathways and the distribution of NEOs.
- Planetary Defence Agencies: For screening potential impact risks and developing mitigation strategies.
- Academic Institutions: For teaching celestial mechanics and data science involving real-world astrophysical events.
- Data Scientists/Modellers: For simulating future close-approach events and assessing natural disaster risks related to space objects.
Dataset Name Suggestions
- Near Earth Object Approach Records
- NEO Close Approach Catalogue (1900–2200)
- Earth Object Encounter Database
- Asteroid and Comet Close Approaches
Attributes
Original Data Source:Near Earth Object Approach Records
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