NASA has issued a warning about a stadium-sized “potentially hazardous” asteroid hurtling towards Earth. The asteroid, known as 2024 ON, measures a staggering 350 meters long by 180 meters wide, making it larger than previously estimated. This massive rocky object is currently 621,000 miles away from our planet, which is considered relatively close in astronomical terms.
Expert navigation engineer Davide Farnocchia from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory revealed that an asteroid of this size coming this close to Earth is a rare occurrence, happening only every five to ten years. The last time a large meteor entered Earth’s atmosphere was back in 2013 in Russia. Not since prehistoric times has Earth experienced an impact from a meteor of 2024 ON’s magnitude.
Despite being classified as a “potentially hazardous object,” Farnocchia assured the public that there is no risk of a collision with Earth. The asteroid would need to be within a couple of hundred miles to pose any threat, and the engineer emphasized that NASA constantly monitors not only the immediate future but also the next hundred years for any potential collisions. Rest assured, there is no possibility of a collision in the foreseeable future.
Close Encounters of the Asteroid Kind
2024 ON is just one of five asteroids expected to pass by Earth within the next two days. The other four rocky objects will be significantly farther away, ranging from 1.1 to 3.9 million miles from Earth. These asteroids, measuring about 51 feet in diameter, are dwarfed by the massive 350-meter-wide 2024 ON.
Asteroid Watch Dashboard
NASA’s Asteroid Watch Dashboard meticulously tracks asteroids and comets making close approaches to Earth. According to the dashboard, 2024 ON is hurtling through space at an incredible speed of 8.8 kilometers per second, equivalent to roughly 20,000 miles per hour. The dashboard provides crucial information such as the date of closest approach, object diameter, relative size, and distance from Earth for each encounter, ensuring that experts can monitor any potential threats.
Stay Informed
As we marvel at the vastness of space and the wonders it holds, it’s essential to stay informed about potential celestial threats like asteroids. By keeping a close eye on NASA’s updates and expert analyses, we can rest assured that our planet is safe from any imminent danger. So, next time you gaze up at the night sky, remember that NASA’s vigilant watch is keeping us safe from unexpected cosmic visitors.
