It has been reported that a newly detected, potentially hazardous asteroid, 2009 BD81, will pass very near Earth in 2042 and again, even closer, in 2044. An odd thing about this report is that the asteroid is shown to have been at or very near aphelion in early June 2007. Its orbital period is given as 1504 days. I did the math, and it seems that all thru the year 2044 the object will again be near aphelion, out near Jupiter's orbit. If this is correct, how can it have a close encounter with Earth in that year? Have I missed something here? Some error in the calculations that escapes me? Michael

link? website?

---

In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.
Diogenes Of Sinope

www.universetoday.com and scroll down to article (Feb. 7)

They have changed their date from 2044 to 2046, which may be more in line with your calculations.

Also, this has the look of a popular science type site and likely not strictly edited nor peer reviewed. The occasional typo’s are to be expected.

On a personal note: maybe it will land on my ex-husband’s house. . . ;)

---

Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.

Albert Einstein

Thanks, KenzieB, for your reply. Rechecked with 2046. That entire year sees the object working outward from the Sun, starting just outside Mars' orbit, headed for aphelion. No close encounter for that year either. Michael

On a personal note: maybe it will land on my ex-husband’s house. . . ;)

LOL
I almost sprayed apple juice onto my monitor with that one.