# 2022 EB5

> small asteroid which entered Earth's atmosphere in March 2022

**Wikidata**: [Q111196934](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111196934)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_EB5)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/2022-eb5

## Summary
2022 EB5 is a small asteroid that entered Earth's atmosphere on March 11, 2022, marking its transition from a celestial body to a former entity. Discovered by Krisztián Sárneczky at the Piszkéstető Station, this near-Earth object was classified as an Apollo asteroid before its atmospheric entry terminated its existence as a distinct orbital body.

## Key Facts
*   **Discovery Date**: March 11, 2022.
*   **Discoverer**: Krisztián Sárneczky.
*   **Discovery Site**: Piszkéstető Station.
*   **Provisional Designation**: 2022 EB5.
*   **Classification**: Apollo asteroid and near-Earth asteroid.
*   **Final Status**: Former entity; entered Earth's atmosphere on March 11, 2022.
*   **Parent Astronomical Body**: Sun.
*   **Absolute Magnitude**: 31.33.
*   **Orbital Period**: 1738.517007188091 days (as of March 11, 2022).
*   **Semi-Major Axis**: 2.829569362530596 astronomical units.
*   **Orbital Eccentricity**: 0.6863175045894134.
*   **Orbital Inclination**: 10.42192994339903 degrees.
*   **Apoapsis**: 4.771552346485251 astronomical units.
*   **Periapsis**: 0.8875863785759399 astronomical units.
*   **Mean Anomaly**: 353.6142875725036 degrees.
*   **Argument of Periapsis**: 222.4163010696544 degrees.
*   **Longitude of Ascending Node**: 350.991914391635 degrees.
*   **Time of Periapsis**: Julian day 2459680.337971273.
*   **JPL Small-Body Database SPK ID**: 54254967.
*   **Minor Planet Center Body ID**: 2022 EB5.
*   **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/11sr7bd9kt.
*   **Wikipedia Title**: 2022 EB5.
*   **NamuWiki ID**: 2022 EB5.
*   **Wikipedia Languages**: Arabic, Commons, German, English, Farsi, French, Galician, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Swedish.
*   **Sitelink Count**: 11.
*   **Wikidata Description**: "small asteroid which entered Earth's atmosphere in March 2022."

## FAQs
**What was the orbital trajectory of 2022 EB5 before it entered the atmosphere?**
Prior to its atmospheric entry, the asteroid followed an elliptical orbit around the Sun with a semi-major axis of approximately 2.83 astronomical units and an eccentricity of 0.686. Its path was inclined at roughly 10.42 degrees relative to the ecliptic, with a periapsis of 0.888 AU and an apoapsis of 4.772 AU.

**Who discovered 2022 EB5 and where did the discovery take place?**
The asteroid was discovered by astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky on March 11, 2022. The observation was conducted at the Piszkéstető Station, which served as the site of astronomical discovery for this specific object.

**How is 2022 EB5 classified within the asteroid population?**
It is categorized as both an Apollo asteroid and a near-Earth asteroid, indicating an orbit that crosses Earth's path. Its absolute magnitude of 31.33 suggests it was a very small object, consistent with the description of a small asteroid that disintegrated upon entry.

**What digital identifiers and language versions exist for this entity?**
The entity is tracked by the JPL Small-Body Database under SPK ID 54254967 and has a Google Knowledge Graph ID of /g/11sr7bd9kt. It maintains Wikipedia articles in 11 languages, including English, German, Japanese, and Korean, and is listed on NamuWiki.

## Why It Matters
2022 EB5 represents a critical case study in the detection and tracking of small near-Earth objects (NEOs) that pose potential impact risks. Its discovery and subsequent atmospheric entry demonstrate the capability of modern observatories to identify and predict the trajectory of small bodies just hours before they interact with Earth. This event provides valuable data for refining orbital models and understanding the frequency of small asteroid impacts, which are far more common than large-scale events but often go undetected. Furthermore, its classification as a "former entity" highlights the dynamic nature of the solar system, where objects can transition from stable orbits to atmospheric disintegration within a single day, necessitating precise temporal data modeling in astronomical databases.

## Notable For
*   **Rapid Detection-to-Impact Timeline**: It was discovered and confirmed to enter the atmosphere on the same day, March 11, 2022.
*   **Specific Orbital Parameters**: Possesses a highly defined set of orbital elements, including an eccentricity of 0.686 and an inclination of 10.42 degrees, recorded precisely at the time of entry.
*   **Global Documentation**: Maintains a presence across 11 different language editions of Wikipedia and specialized databases like NamuWiki.
*   **Distinct Classification**: Serves as a definitive example of an "Earth-crossing asteroid" with a recorded end time of 2022-03-11.
*   **High-Precision Data**: Features detailed orbital calculations, including a mean anomaly of 353.61 degrees and a time of periapsis calculated to the microsecond level in Julian days.

## Body

### Discovery and Identification
The asteroid designated 2022 EB5 was identified on March 11, 2022, by the Hungarian astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky. The discovery occurred at the Piszkéstető Station, a key facility for astronomical observations. Following its detection, the object was assigned the provisional designation 2022 EB5. It is cataloged in the JPL Small-Body Database with the SPK ID 54254967 and holds the Minor Planet Center Body ID 2022 EB5. The discovery is referenced in data sources including Q106600690 and Q4026990, with the latter providing specific orbital data referenced as of January 22, 2024.

### Orbital Characteristics and Dynamics
As an Apollo asteroid, 2022 EB5 orbited the Sun with a semi-major axis of 2.829569362530596 astronomical units (AU). Its orbit was highly elliptical, characterized by an eccentricity of 0.6863175045894134. The asteroid's path brought it as close as 0.8875863785759399 AU to the Sun at periapsis and extended to 4.771552346485251 AU at apoapsis. The orbital period was calculated to be 1738.517007188091 days. The orbital plane was inclined at 10.42192994339903 degrees relative to the reference plane. Additional orbital elements included a mean anomaly of 353.6142875725036 degrees, an argument of periapsis of 222.4163010696544 degrees, and a longitude of the ascending node of 350.991914391635 degrees. The time of periapsis passage was recorded as Julian day 2459680.337971273.

### Atmospheric Entry and Termination
The defining event in the history of 2022 EB5 was its entry into Earth's atmosphere on March 11, 2022. This event marked the cessation of its existence as an independent celestial body, reclassifying it as a "former entity." The absolute magnitude of the object was 31.33, indicating a very small size consistent with an object that would disintegrate upon atmospheric entry. The specific date of this termination, 2022-03-11, serves as the "end_time" for its classification as an Earth-crossing asteroid. This transition from an active orbital body to a terminated subject is a key data point for historical astronomical records.

### Digital Presence and Classification
2022 EB5 is extensively documented across various digital knowledge bases. It has a dedicated Wikipedia title and is available in 11 languages: Arabic, German, English, Farsi, French, Galician, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Swedish. The entity has a total of 11 sitelinks connecting it to other projects. In the Wikimedia Commons, it is categorized under "2022 EB5." It is also indexed on NamuWiki with the ID 2022 EB5 and in the Google Knowledge Graph under the ID /g/11sr7bd9kt. The Wikidata description explicitly states it is a "small asteroid which entered Earth's atmosphere in March 2022."

### Data References and Metadata
The orbital and physical data for 2022 EB5 are sourced from authoritative astronomical databases. The primary reference for its orbital elements (epoch, apoapsis, periapsis, etc.) is Q4026990, with a specific reference to the JPL Small-Body Database lookup URL (https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=54254967). The discovery information is linked to Q106600690. All orbital data points include qualifiers specifying the epoch date of March 11, 2022, ensuring the data reflects the state of the object immediately prior to its atmospheric entry. The data was last referenced on January 22, 2024, confirming the continued archival of this historical event.

## References

1. [JPL Small-Body Database](https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=54254967)
2. Minor Planet Center database
3. JPL Small-Body Database