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Asteroid 4179, an Earth-crossing asteroid discovered in 1989. Radar studies have shown it be irregular, measuring 4.7 by 2.4 by 1.9 km (2.9 by 1.5 by 1.2 miles) and have revealed the presence of craters and ridges on the surface. There is some suggestion that it may in fact be two bodies in close proximity. It rotates in a very complex manner. Both its shape and rotation are thought to be the result of collisions with other bodies. The plane of Toutatis's orbit is closer to the plane of Earth's orbit than that of any other known Earth-crossing asteroid. It makes a close approach to Earth in 2004, passing at about four times the Moon's distance.
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