# Asteroid 1998 OR2, Approaching Earth, is wearing a Face Mask

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asteroid-1998-or2-approaching-earth-is-wearing-a-face-mask/852666>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [April 27, 2020, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asteroid-1998-or2-approaching-earth-is-wearing-a-face-mask/852666 "2020-04-27T12:28:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asteroid-1998-or2-approaching-earth-is-wearing-a-face-mask/852666/1 "2020-04-27T12:28:59Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> **Scientists Note Asteroid Approaching Earth Looks Like It’s Wearing A Face Mask –  
> 1998 OR2 appears to know the planet is facing the coronavirus pandemic, researchers joked.**
> 
> Scientists are joking that even an asteroid set to pass by Earth is exercising caution as the planet tackles the coronavirus pandemic.
> 
> The 1998 OR2 asteroid poses no risk to the Earth, but its appearance makes it look as though it were aware of the risks on the planet right now, according to researchers at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, who quipped that its shape resembles a face mask.
> 
> “The small-scale topographic features such as hills and ridges on one end of asteroid 1998 OR2 are fascinating scientifically,” says Anne Virkki, head of Planetary Radar at the observatory, according to a press release.
> 
> “But since we are all thinking about COVID-19 these features make it look like 1998 OR2 remembered to wear a mask.”

> **[Scientists Note Asteroid Approaching Earth Looks Like It’s Wearing A Face Mask](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/asteroid-face-mask_n_5ea60b5ac5b6805f9ecf4add)**
>
> 1998 OR2 appears to know the planet is facing the coronavirus pandemic, researchers joked.

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**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asteroid-1998-or2-approaching-earth-is-wearing-a-face-mask/852666/2 "2020-04-27T13:39:48Z")

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Looks more like a contact lens to me.

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**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asteroid-1998-or2-approaching-earth-is-wearing-a-face-mask/852666/3 "2020-04-27T16:00:57Z")

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Here’s hoping it maintains at least six feet of distance.

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**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asteroid-1998-or2-approaching-earth-is-wearing-a-face-mask/852666/4 "2020-04-27T16:14:11Z")

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> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> Here’s hoping it maintains at least six feet of distance.

That would still suck for all the 6’4" people beheaded by the thing.😉