* Astronomy

2006 RZ was discovered by Helmut Michels at Herrenberg Observatory (Germany) on September 4, 2006.
It will approach within 0.0129 AU (4.9 lunar distances) on October 7. Its physical properties are unknown, but its absolute magnitude of 20.1 suggests a diameter within a factor of two of 300 meters. Using past experience as a guide, there is a 1/6 chance that it is a binary.

Observations by Michael Hicks at JPL's Table Mountain Observatory have revealed that 2006 RZ has photometric colours consistent with a dark C-type object. If so, then this asteroid may be significantly larger than estimated below, and thus the signal-to-noise ratios could be considerably stronger.
Goldstone images on October 4 revealed that 2006 RZ has a somewhat angular leading edge, suggest its elongation is low, and that its diameter is roughly 600 meters. The size and shape are consistent with the colours obtained by Hicks and the lightcurve amplitudes obtained by Warner, Kusnirak, and Hicks.
Due to the proximity of its orbit to Earth and its diameter, 2006 RZ has been classified as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" by the Minor Planet Centre.

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