NASA's Asteroid Watch has recently identified five massive asteroids hurtling toward Earth. While the word "asteroid" may sound terrifying, these celestial visitors will just be passing by.
Here is an in-depth look at these approaching space rocks, their sizes, speeds, and closest approach dates:
Asteroid 2021 JA5
This asteroid is about 59 feet wide and will come closest to Earth on September 6. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory notes that this asteroid is the same size as a house!
Even though 3.17 million miles might seem like a vast distance, it is actually not that far in space. To put it in perspective, the average distance between Earth and the moon is about 239,000 miles.
September 8: Asteroids QC5 and GE
On September 8, Earth will witness a double feature.
First up is Asteroid 2023 QC5, an asteroid akin to the size of an airplane, with a span of about 79 feet. It will pass by at an approximate distance of 2.53 million miles.
Coinciding with QC5's approach is Asteroid 2020 GE. This one, measuring around 26 feet in size, will be a bit farther away, at 3.56 million miles.
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Closest Approach: Asteroid 2023 QF6
Asteroid 2023 QF6 takes the stage on September 10.
With a size rivaling that of an aircraft at approximately 68 feet, this asteroid will pass closer to our planet than any of the asteroids listed in this report at only 1.65 million miles away!
Asteroid 2020 RT2
Rounding off this asteroid parade on September 12 is Asteroid 2020 RT2.
Imagine a bus-sized space rock, roughly 25 feet in size, passing at a distance of around 2.62 million miles from Earth.
Should We Be Concerned?
Now, the important question: should you be concerned?
The short answer is no. NASA's Asteroid Watch dashboard diligently tracks these celestial travelers, ensuring that none pose any threat to Earth.
In fact, objects are only deemed "potentially hazardous" when they are both closer and significantly larger—more than about 490 feet in size. Rest assured, these asteroids are far from that category.
According to Astronomy.com, the largest asteroid classified as a near-Earth object is 1036 Ganymed. This asteroid has a diameter of roughly 23 miles (37 kilometers).
For those eager to dive deeper into space observation, NASA offers an "Eyes on Asteroids" webpage. This interactive tool provides real-time visualization of asteroids and comets throughout the galaxy, thanks to data from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Center for Near Earth Object Studies.
In Other News
After six months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), four astronauts safely returned to Earth on Monday. Their SpaceX capsule made a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean near Florida's coast, marking the end of their journey.
Among the returning crew were NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren "Woody" Hoburg, Russian astronaut Andrei Fedyaev, and United Arab Emirates astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi.
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