2017 XO2

2017 XO2 is a small near-Earth asteroid (NEA). It was discovered on December 12, 2017, by the Mount Lemmon Survey, an astronomical survey located on Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Arizona.

As a near-Earth asteroid, 2017 XO2's orbit brings it relatively close to Earth. These objects are of interest to astronomers and planetary scientists due to their potential for scientific study and their potential hazard to Earth. 2017 XO2 is tracked and its orbit is regularly refined to improve our understanding of its trajectory and assess any potential future risk.

The designation "2017 XO2" follows the standard convention for naming asteroids. The "2017" indicates the year of discovery. "X" is the letter assigned to the half-month (in this case, December 1-15), and "O2" indicates it was the 56th asteroid discovered during that half-month period.

Its physical characteristics, such as its size, shape, and composition, are still being studied through observations and analysis. Further observations may help to better characterize this asteroid.