NASA Warns Of Asteroids As Big As A Building Approaching Earth At Super High Speeds — Details

Two asteroids are set to make close passes by Earth on Tuesday, July 23. However, they do not pose a risk of collision.

Two asteroids are set to make close passes by Earth on Tuesday, July 23. However, the two asteroids do not pose a risk of collision. The image is used for representational purposes only.

Source : Unsplash

Asteroid Alert: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has issued an alert pertaining to asteroids 2024 LY2 and 2024 NH. These two asteroids are set to make close passes by Earth on Tuesday, July 23. However, the two asteroids do not pose a risk of collision but they do offer a scope for scietific observation.

The asteroid (2024 LY2) is approximately 290 feet (88 metres) in diameter. The size of this asteroid is similar to the size of a large building. The asteroid will make its closest approach to Earth at a distance of 2,850,000 miles (4,587,454 kilometres).

This distance is about 12 times the average gap between Earth and the Moon. Despite this significant distance, it is considered a close pass in astronomical terms. "NASA is closely following the path of this asteroid," a NASA spokesperson noted, as quoted by the Economic Times.

The second asteroid (2024 NH) measures about 92 feet (28 metres) in diameter. It is approximately the size of a commercial aeroplane.

The asteroid will pass Earth at a distance of 3,130,000 miles (5,038,865 kilometres). Although smaller (2024 NH) presents an interesting target for scientific study due to its proximity. This close approach to the asteroid provides an opportunity for astronomers to observe and analyse the asteroid's characteristics and trajectory.

Meanwhile, the independent space agency has also issued an alert regarding asteroid 2011 MW1, which is speeding towards Earth at 28,946 km/h.

This Apollo-class asteroid, approximately 380 feet in size, is set to make its closest approach to Earth on July 25, at a distance of 2.4 million miles, according to the Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), NASA.

Despite its proximity, 2011 MW1, classified as a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, does not fall under the category of 'Potentially Hazardous Asteroids' (PHAs). It is considered a very small asteroid whose orbit brings it near Earth but not alarmingly close. NASA has identified about 35,000 Near Earth Objects (NEOs) so far.

While the size of 2011 MW1, comparable to a skyscraper, may seem concerning, NASA assures that it poses no threat to Earth. However, the space agency continues to monitor its trajectory closely.