📕 The Dataset

This dataset contains detailed information about close approaches of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) to Earth between 1960 and 2060. Collected by NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), it serves as a crucial resource for assessing potential asteroid risks and studying the dynamics of these celestial objects. Each record represents an individual NEO's approach, detailing its distance from Earth, velocity, orbit parameters, and estimated size.

📝 Column Descriptions

• des:
  The designation or identifier of the Near-Earth Object (NEO). This is usually an alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies the object.

Example: 2018 AM12 (a specific asteroid discovered in 2018).

• orbit_id
  The unique identifier for the NEO's specific orbital configuration during the close approach.

Example: 22 (indicating the 22nd observation or refinement of this object's orbit).

• jd:
  The Julian Date of the close approach, a continuous count of days used in astronomy for precise timekeeping.

Example: 2436943.5 (equivalent to January 9, 1960, 14:30 UTC).

• cd:
  The calendar date and time of the close approach, given in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Example: 1960-Jan-09 14:30 (indicating the NEO's closest approach occurred on January 9, 1960, at 14:30 UTC).

• dist:
  The nominal (most likely) distance between the NEO and Earth during the close approach, measured in astronomical units (AU).

Example: 0.028528 AU (~4.27 million kilometers or ~2.65 million miles).

• dist_min:
  The minimum possible distance, accounting for uncertainties in the NEO's trajectory.

Example: 0.027375 AU (~4.10 million kilometers or ~2.55 million miles).

• dist_max:
  The maximum possible distance, considering uncertainties in the object's orbit.

Example: 0.029682 AU (~4.44 million kilometers or ~2.76 million miles).

• v_rel:
  The velocity of the NEO relative to Earth during the close approach, measured in kilometers per second (km/s).

Example: 11.381602 km/s (~40,973 km/h or ~25,461 mph).

• v_inf:
  The "infinity velocity," or the object's velocity relative to Earth if Earth’s gravitational influence were not present, measured in km/s.

Example: 11.373393 km/s (~40,944 km/h or ~25,441 mph).

• t_sigma_f:
  The uncertainty in the timing of the close approach, often represented as a formatted string.

Example: <00:01 (indicating the approach time is accurate to within less than 1 minute).

• h:
  The absolute magnitude of the NEO, representing its brightness. Smaller values typically indicate brighter objects.

Example: 21.16 (indicating a relatively small and/or dim asteroid).

• fullname:
  The full name or detailed designation of the NEO, including its provisional or alternative identifiers.

Example: (99942 Apophis) (showing the asteroid's name as recorded officially).