Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Radar images of asteroid 4179 Toutatis from the 2012 close approach

Radar images of asteroid 4179 Toutatis from the 2012 close approach
Radar images of asteroid 4179 Toutatis from the 2012 close approach Asteroid 4179 Toutatis approached within 7 million kilometers of Earth on December 12, 2012, and the Goldstone and Arecibo radio telescopes were watching. This image was taken on December 3. JPL / Courtesy Lance Benner

Visit the JPL asteroid radar astronomy website for more information about this approach: http://echo.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroids/Toutatis2012/Toutatis2012_planning.html