Asteroid As Big As A Skyscraper Approaching Earth At High Speed On Aug 10, NASA Warns

Science News: A 610-foot asteroid, 2024 KH3, will be approaching towards the earth tomorrow. NASA is monitoring the asteroid as part of its ongoing vigilance to track near-Earth objects.

Science News: An asteroid the size of a skyscraper is making a close approach to Earth on August 10, speeding through space at a high speed. Measuring 610 feet (186 metres) in diameter, this near-Earth object designated '2024 KH3' is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid due to its proximity, although it poses no immediate threat.

The closest 2024 KH3 will come is 3,470,000 miles from our planet, which is about 14 times the distance between Earth and the Moon, according to the Asteroid Watch dashboard maintained by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For reference, the distance between Earth and the Moon is around 2,39,000 miles or 3.85 lakh kilometres.

Asteroid 2024 KH3 was discovered earlier this year and is being closely monitored by NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office, which tracks such celestial objects to predict any potential impact risk. While today's encounter is safe, it serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing vigilance in tracking asteroids that come close to Earth.

Asteroids like 2024 KH3 are remnants from the early solar system, offering scientists valuable opportunities to study the origins of our cosmic neighbourhood. The current trajectory of 2024 KH3 ensures that it will safely pass by Earth, continuing its journey through space.

More Asteroid Approaches In August 2024

• August 10: An asteroid measuring 110 feet (34 metres) in diameter, roughly the size of an airplane, is also approaching Earth on Saturday, August 10. The closest 2024 PK1 will come to the Earth is 4,010,000 miles or 6,460,000 km.
  
  


• August 11: An asteroid measuring 83 feet (25 metres) in size is approaching Earth on Sunday, August 11. Though 2024 PK2 will be smaller in size, it will have a relatively closer approach — 795,000 miles or 1,280,000 km.
  
  


• August 12: An asteroid measuring 120 feet (37 metres) is approaching Earth on Tuesday, August 13. Asteroid 2024 ON2 is also small in size, and the closest it will come to our planet is 4,180,000 miles or 6,720,000 km, a safe distance away.
  
  


• August 13: An asteroid measuring 58 feet (18 metres) is approaching Earth on Wednesday, August 13. The size of a small house, asteroid 2024 PS1 is the smallest of all, and the closest it will come to Earth is 846,000 miles or 1,360,000 km.