Close encounters of Near Earth Objects with large asteroids

TL;DR

This paper investigates close encounters between Near Earth Objects and large asteroids over the 21st century, identifying potential sources of systematic errors in trajectory predictions and asteroid mitigation efforts.

Contribution

It systematically identifies and analyzes close encounters between NEAs and large asteroids (>20 km) using the Standard Dynamical Model, highlighting their impact on orbit modeling.

Findings

791 close encounters identified in the 21st century

195 large asteroids involved in encounters

Significant scattering effects on NEO trajectories

Abstract

Close encounters of Near Earth Objects (NEOs) with large asteroids are a possible source of systematic errors in trajectory propagations and asteroid mitigation. It is, thus, necessary to identify those large asteroids that have to be considered as perturbers in NEO orbit modeling. Using the Standard Dynamical Model we searched for encounters between the 1649 numbered Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) and 2191 large asteroids having sizes greater than 20 km. In- vestigating the 21st century A.D. we have found 791 close encounters with 195 different large asteroids that lead to a substantial scattering of NEOs.